LAHORE — The journalist community in Pakistan is in great grief following the death of famous TV show host Arshad Sharif in Kenya.
Arshad’s wife Javeria Siddique, who is also a journalist, first shared the news in a tweet, confirming his husband’s death in Nairobi city after reportedly being shot. “I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist Arshad today, as per police he was shot in Kenya.”
The grief-stricken wife also urged for privacy in the hard times and requested social media users and media houses not to share their personal pictures. He leaves behind a wife and five children. The deceased leaves behind a wife and five children.
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
International media also catched air of the development as Kenyan publication reported that Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif was shot dead in a case of ‘mistaken identity’ along the Nairobi-Magadi highway.
Quoting law enforcers, the report said Sharif, who specialized in investigative journalism, was shot in the head as he and his driver allegedly breached a barricade.
Cops reportedly opened fire after receiving information to intercept a vehicle similar to the one, Sharif and his driver was in, amid a carjacking and abduction incident in the Kenyan capital.
Police told the Kenyan daily that Sharif’s driver was directed to stop for identification but he allegedly peddled through the roadblock which led to a brief chase and shooting that left the journalist dead.
Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan’s High Commission in an East African country has approached authorities to get information.
Pakistani ambassador to Kenya identifies slain journalist’s body
Later in the day, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb annoucned that Pakistani ambassador to East African nation has identified Arshad Sharif’s body.
Condemning Sharif’s killing, the minister said Pakistani government has approached to the ambassador of Kenya. She avoided sharing more details, saying once the government receives any detail from the Kenyan authorities, it will be shared with the bereaved family and the public.
وزیر اطلاعات مریم اورنگزیب کا سینئر صحافی اور اینکر ارشد شریف کی کینیا میں افسوسناک موت پر ارشد شریف کی والدہ اور پاکستان میں کینیا کے سفیر سے ٹیلی فون پر گفتگو
وزیر اطلاعات نے ارشد شریف کی والدہ سے دلی رنج اور غم کا اظہار کیا pic.twitter.com/VrkojKSaMd
— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 24, 2022
Reports also suggest that Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Kenya will approach Kenyan top law enforcement officials while the Ministry of Interior has also been in touch with Kenyan security agencies to determine the specifics.
The former reporter and TV anchor of ARY TV, who had moved to the African nation after finding it hostile in Pakistan after the ouster of Imran Khan from the government, was reportedly shot dead there. Earlier, TV host Mehar Bokhari, whose husband Kashif Abbasi worked for the same TV channel along with other journalists, confirmed their former colleague “is no more”.
Born in the port city of Karachi, Arshad started his journalistic career around 3 decades back before the completion of his studies.
Sharif got his master’s from QUA and a second degree from the UK with distinction as a Chevening scholar, and has worked with top international organisations.
The 49-year-old award-winning journalist was recently featured in the trailer for a documentary titled “Behind Closed Doors”.
The defiant journalist was booked along with some of his former colleagues in wake of controversial remarks about institutions.
His former colleagues stayed in Pakistan but Arshad left the country. Later, his channel cleared the air on the issue and confirmed that Arshad left the media house, he worked for years.
Politicians, journalist fraternity, activists, and social media users extend condolences over Sharif’s demise
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
Unbelievable. May Allah rest the soul of Arshad Sharif in peace. Ameen. https://t.co/l6ELwdCCYK
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) October 24, 2022
Only two days ago, Arshad Sharif had tweeted this about the death of FIAs' Dr. Rizwan! https://t.co/r3mZbHBtFp
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) October 24, 2022
I appeal to International Federation of Journalists @IFJasiaapacific and @CpjAsia to constitute Fact Finding Mission to probe the killing of senior anchor person and investigative journalist #ArshadShareef This case unlike many journalist's murder should not go unnoticed.
— Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) October 24, 2022
Shahbaz Sharif Govt banned hounded launched cases and forced Arshad Sharif to escape from his motherland. Finger pointing conjectures innuendos in social media see its hands in the tragedy. PM Shahbaz Sharif must take nation into confidence and present an official account pic.twitter.com/Mf1uWHd8du
— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) October 24, 2022
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
Arshad Sharif, not just a colleague, a brother, is no more. From Islamabad to Moscow, from Dunya News to ARY, I’ve not known a finer gentleman.
Shot dead. Too young. Too brutally.Still can not wrap my head around it
— Meher Bokhari (@meherbokhari) October 23, 2022
Ary journalists are confirming that Arshad Sharif is no more 💔💔
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) October 23, 2022
اناللہ وانا الیہ راجعون pic.twitter.com/nQh5Sbngr4
— Imran Khan (@ImranRiazKhan) October 23, 2022
