Oct 24(ABC): Senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif was shot dead by the Kenyan police Sunday night in a “mistaken identity” case while travelling to Nairobi from the country’s Magadi town, reported Kenyan newspaper The Star citing law enforcement officials.
“We had an incident of shooting which turned out to be a case of mistaken identity involving a journalist. We will release more information later,” a police officer told The Star.
The report published on its website stated that Sharif was shot in the head and killed by police after he and his driver allegedly breached a police roadblock.
The publication, citing police, said that the manned roadblock was directed to intercept a car similar to the one Sharif was being driven in, following a carjacking in Nairobi in which a child was reportedly taken hostage.
The Star reported that Sharif was hailed to stop for identification but his driver allegedly drove past the checkpoint. This led to a brief chase and shooting that left the journalist dead, it added.
The Kenyan publication said that Sharif’s driver was injured and taken to hospital. It added that the driver told the law enforcement officials that he and Sharif were developers and headed for a site in Magadi.
The police headquarters said that Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority will investigate the case. At the same time, a senior police officer shared that a comprehensive statement would be released later.
The was broken to Pakistan by Sharif’s wife Javeria Siddiqui through Twitter. She confirmed the tragic news in a post, acknowledging her husband was killed in Kenya.
The sources said that local police had initiated a probe and were investigating the matter.
Before the confirmation from his wife, reports were doing rounds that Sharif had died in an accident.
Sharif was previously associated with ARY News and had gone to Dubai after resigning from the channel. Before going to Kenya, he was spotted in London a few days back after arriving from Dubai.
Body identified in Kenyan morgue
Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has confirmed that the body of Arshad Sharif, the slain Pakistani senior journalist, has been identified in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
“Pakistan High Commissioner, Kenyan police authorities, and doctors are currently in the mortuary, where Sharif’s body has been kept,” the minister said.
She added that the procedure for the repatriation of his body had been initiated. “We have requested Kenyan authorities to expedite procedure,” Aurangzeb further said.
Pakistani mission spins into action
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said they were deeply saddened at the untimely death Sharif in Kenya.
“We convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved family,” the ministry said.
The statement added that Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Kenya had received initial information about the death of Sharif early in the morning of 24 October.
“The High Commissioner accordingly contacted the police authorities, and senior officials at the ministry and other departments. Office of the Vice President was also contacted for confirmation.”
Moreover, Pakistanis of Kenyan origin were also mobilised, while the mission was informed the body was in Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi.
“The High Commissioner along with Mission’s officers reached the location, and identified Sharif’s body. The Acting Foreign Secretary then visited Sharif’s family and conveyed them the sad news and heartfelt condolences on behalf of the foreign minister and the minister of state.”
His family has been assured of all possible assistance by the foreign ministry, according to the statement.
“Further procedures including police report are awaited, while the High Commission will facilitate expeditious repatriation of the mortal remains of Arshad Sharif in coordination with the host authorities,” it added.
‘In contact with Kenya’
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sorrow over the death of the journalist and said that the Pakistani government is in contact with Kenyan authorities in this regard.
“The unbelievable incident of journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder is extremely shocking and an irreparable loss to the journalist community of Pakistan.”
“I offer my condolences to journalist Arshad Sharif’s family, journalist community and his fans,” said the foreign minister.
IHC issues notice to interior, foreign ministries
Earlier today, a petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the formation of a panel to ascertain facts behind Sharif’s death.
Petitioner Barrister Shoaib Razzaq sought the formation of a commission to determine under which circumstances Sharif had fled the country. He also urged the court to issue orders to bring the body of the journalist back to Pakistan.
During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked the petitioner where the body of the journalist was currently. At this, the judge was told by the lawyer that it was in Nairobi, Kenya.
Following this, the judge issued notices to the interior and foreign secretaries. He also ordered officials from both ministries to meet the journalist’s family and submit a report by tomorrow.
Imran Khan demands judicial inquiry
In his condolence message to the aggrieved family, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said he was shocked at the brutal murder of Arshad Sharif who paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth.
“He [Arshad Sharif] had to leave the country and be in hiding abroad but he continued to speak the truth on social media, exposing the powerful. Today the entire nation mourns his death.”
The former premier said that a proper judicial investigation must be instituted to examine his own statements plus evidence that other sources have.
“We have descended into a state of brutality, unknown in civilised society, indulged in by the powerful against those who dare to criticise and expose wrongdoings.”
Condolences pour in
Following the news of Sharif’s death, condolences started pouring in from across the country.
President Arif Alvi termed Sharif’s death a “great loss to journalism and Pakistan”.
“May his soul rest in peace and may his family, which includes his followers, have the strength to bear this loss,” tweeted the president.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sadness over the “shocking news of journalist Arshad Sharif’s tragic death”.
“May Allah SWT grant him a place in Heaven. My deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family,” he said.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said they are deeply aggrieved over the unexpected death of senior journalist Arshad Sharif. “May Allah elevate him to higher heavenly status,” the military said.
The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) condemned Sharif’s shocking death in a ‘mishandled police shooting’ in Kenya as unimaginably deplorable. “We sadly regret Sharif’s murder and wish his family the courage needed to cope with such an irreparable loss,” Aemend said in a statement adding, “The whole media community is standing by Sharif’s family in this trying time”.
Aemend officials demanded the government ensure a thorough as well as a transparent investigation into Sharif’s brutal killing. “We also urge the government to make the best possible arrangements to bring the remains of the senior journalist back to his homeland and keep the family of the deceased posted on the developments made,” the journalists’ body said in the statement.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also demanded a transparent inquiry into the circumstances of the journalist’s death.
PML-N leader Hina Pervaiz Butt extended heartfelt condolences on the demise of the journalist, while PTI leader Ali Zaidi also expressed his grief on the death of Sharif.