KARACHI: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) announced that 2023 Press Freedom Award has been conferred on slain journalist Arshad Sharif. According to PPF press release, Arshad Sharif's experiences as journalist in Pakistan were fraught with difficulties, including harassment and legal cases. His eventual decision to leave country and subsequent murder in Kenya are stark reminder of dangers and challenges journalists face in Pakistan. Sharif's untimely death should serve as wake-up call to both media professionals and institutions, as well as state authorities in Pakistan, of grave risks journalists face while performing their duties.

On World Press Freedom Day, PPF recognises and honours Sharif's contributions to freedom of expression. However, there remains little clarity on circumstances of his departure from Pakistan, his eventual arrival in Kenya and his murder on October 23, 2022. As we honour life of late journalist, we urge authorities to conduct credible investigations into his murder and ensure that justice is served on those who forced Sharif to flee from Pakistan.

Initially, varying versions of his death came forward with some reports claiming it was an accident and Kenyan media claiming it was "Mistaken identity" case. However, in December, fact-finding team comprising officials of Federal Investigation Agency and Intelligence Bureau determined that Sharif's death was result of "Planned targeted assassination".

FFT report finds that version of Kenyan Police claiming death to be case of mistaken identity was "full of contradictions" and stated that post-mortem indicates that journalist had also been tortured.

In April 2022, there were reports that Sharif was facing harassment by FIA. While FIA had denied responsibility for arrest or harassment, Islamabad High Court (IHC) had ordered agency to stop harassing Sharif and other journalists. Having fled country, Sharif was still not safe.

As Sharif's murder is investigated, we again call upon authorities to ascertain factors that led to his departure from Pakistan and eventual arrival in Kenya. Sharif's ordeal is an alarming reminder of lack of safety and threats journalists face in Pakistan because of their work.

High rates of impunity for murder of journalists in Pakistan are grim reality that requires determined efforts by all state institutions. Sharif's murder and reasons behind his departure from Pakistan must be investigated thoroughly. Suo-motu case of Sharif's murder is ongoing in Supreme Court of Pakistan and must be perused with diligence and seriousness.

Sharif, prominent journalist in Pakistan had an illustrious career that sadly ended with his untimely death. He had worked with several major networks in country and was awarded Presidential Pride of Performance Award in 2019. Sharif hosted show Power Play on ARY News. He served as Islamabad bureau chief for Dawn News TV. He had also worked in The News and Aaj News.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 03 2023

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