News Anchor and journalist Arshad Sharif was killed by the Kenyan police on Sunday night in a “mistaken identity” case while he was travelling to Nairobi from the country’s Magadi town.
In this regard, Kenya Anne Makori, the chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, acknowledged at a news conference on Monday that Kenyan police in Kajiado County shot and killed Pakistani journalist Arshad Muhammad Sharif, 50, on the evening of October 23.
“There’s an alleged police killing of a Pakistani national at Tinga market, Kajiado county, last evening. Our rapid response team has already been dispatched,” she said, adding that a probe related to the incident is underway and that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority will carry out a transparent investigation into the killing of Sharif
Kenyan police releases details of tragic incident
“NPS regrets to announce an incident last night along Kwenia farm/ Kamukuru maram road with Magadi, Kajiado, where a foreign national namely Arshad Muhammad Sharif, aged 50, was fatally wounded by a police officer while a passenger in a motor vehicle KDG 200M. At the time of the incident, the deceased was in the company of his brother namely Khurram Ahmed.”
“Incident follows a circulation from Pangani Police of a stolen motor vehicle. The officers trailing the motor vehicle towards Magadi alerted police in Magadi who erected a road barrier,” the statement added.
The Office of the Inspector-General National Police Service in Nairobi, Kenya, also issued a news release with information about the incident.
PRESS STATEMENT pic.twitter.com/jDsqmQtzlb
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) October 24, 2022
“Deceased’s motor vehicle came upon the police barrier which they drove through. It is then they were shot at, fatally injuring late Arshad Muhammad Sharif.”
“National Police Service regrets this unfortunate incident. Competent authorities are currently investigating the incident for appropriate action. The Ag. inspector-General on behalf of the Service condoles with the family and friends of the deceased.”
Wife asks for respecting family’s privacy
Javeria Siddiqui, Sharif’s wife, verified the news of his passing on Twitter early on Monday morning and acknowledged that her husband had been shot in Kenya. She also requested that people respect the family’s privacy and avoid from posting images of the family on social media and other platforms.
I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist @arsched today, as per police he was shot in Kenya.
Respect our privacy and in the name of breaking pls don't share our family pics, personal details and his last pictures from hospital.
Remember us in ur prayers. pic.twitter.com/wP1BJxqP5e— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) October 24, 2022
Prior to his wife’s confirmation, rumours that Sharif had perished in an accident were circulating.
Sharif previously worked for ARY News, and after leaving the network, he moved to Dubai. He was spotted in London a few days before to travelling to Kenya after arriving from Dubai.
Imran Khan demands judicial inquiry
“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.”
PTI Chairman Imran Khan expressed outrage at the cruel murder of Arshad Sharif, who paid the ultimate price for expressing the truth, in a sympathy letter to the hurt family.
Shocked at the brutal murder of Arshad Sharif who paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth – his life. He had to leave the country & be in hiding abroad but he continued to speak the truth on social media, exposing the powerful. Today the entire nation mourns his death.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 24, 2022
PTI Chairman Imran Khan expressed outrage at the cruel murder of Arshad Sharif, who paid the ultimate price for expressing the truth, in a sympathy letter to the hurt family.
“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.”
Tributes 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.
Arshad Sharif’s death Is 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
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وانا الیہ راجعون— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 24, 2022
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.
I am deeply saddened by 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.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 24, 2022
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.
“Absolutely shocked”, wrote Asad Umar.
Absolutely shocked to hear of Arshad sharif's death. Allah Jannat naseeb karay.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 24, 2022
Journalist Shahzeb Khanzada also expressed sadness over Sharif’s death.
Extremely sad to hear the devastating news about Arshad Sharif. May his soul rest in peace.. Thoughts and prayers with his family.
— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) October 23, 2022