Arshad Sharif, one of Pakistan’s top news anchors, who had fled to Pakistan a few months ago to evade arrest on treason charges, was shot dead in Kenya, his wife said on October 24.
Sharif, a frequent critic of the Pakistani military establishment and considered a supporter of former prime minister Imran Khan, was ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April.
Former Pakistan Imran Khan on Monday condemned the killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif.
“Shocked by the ruthless killing of Arshad Sharif, who paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth – his life. He had to leave the country and hide abroad, but he continued to speak the truth, exposing the mighty on social media. Today the entire nation passed away. Condolences to you,” Khan tweeted.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief has demanded a proper judicial inquiry into the matter. “We have come to a position of cruelty, unknown in civilized society, powerful against those who dare to criticize and expose wrongdoing,” he said in a subsequent tweet.
Read also: Pakistan court rejects Imran Khan’s appeal on disqualification. read here
Earlier in the day, Sharif’s wife Javeria Siddiqui told that her husband died of bullet injuries in Kenya.
His wife Javeria Siddiqui tweeted, “I lost friend, husband and my favorite journalist today, according to police he was shot in Kenya.” Details and his last photos from the hospital.
Remember us in your prayers.”
Even the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan has confirmed this incident. It said that the High Commissioner has accordingly contacted police officials and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and other departments.
“Pakistani of Kenyan origin was also mobilized. The mission was informed that the body is at the Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi. The High Commissioner, accompanied by mission officials, reached the spot and identified Mr. Sharif’s body,” the foreign ministry said. ,
In August, news agency AFP reported that Sharif had interviewed senior opposition politician Shahbaz Gill, who said junior officers in the armed forces should not obey orders that go against the “will of the majority”.
Following the remarks, the news channel was briefly shut down and an arrest warrant was issued for Sharif, who left the country. Even the channel ARY later said that he had “broken ties” with her.
Simultaneously, Gill was taken into custody and Khan’s criticism of the judiciary for his detention led to his own court appearance.
ARY TV tweeted on Monday, “ARY anchor Arshad Sharif martyred after being shot in Kenya… Local police investigating.”
In the Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders, Pakistan is ranked 157 out of 180 countries in the world.
Sharif was last seen in London after his arrival from Dubai a few days back.
With inputs from AFP and ANI.
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