Arshad Sharif shot dead in ‘mistaken identity’ case: Kenyan media
Senior journalist and anchor Arshad Sharif was fatally shot by police on Sunday night in a “case of mistaken identity” while traveling to Nairobi from the town of Magadi in Kenya, according to The Star, which cited law enforcement officials.
“There was a shooting incident involving a journalist that turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. We will release additional details soon,” a police officer told The Star.
According to the report published on its website, Sharif was fatally shot by police after he and his driver allegedly breached a roadblock.
The publication, citing police, stated that the manned roadblock had received information to intercept a car similar to the one Sharif and his driver was in, following an alleged kidnapping of a child during a carjacking in Nairobi.
According to The Star, Sharif was asked for identification but allegedly drove past the roadblock. This led to a brief chase and shooting, which resulted in the journalist’s death, the report said.
According to the Kenyan publication, Sharif’s driver was injured and transported to the hospital. The driver told law enforcement officials that he and Sharif were developers heading to a site in Magadi, according to the report.
Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority will investigate, according to the police headquarters. A senior police officer revealed that a detailed statement will be issued later.
The news spread in Pakistan after Sharif’s wife Javeria Siddiqui confirmed the tragic news on Twitter, confirming that her husband had been murdered in Kenya.
According to the sources, the local police have initiated an investigation and are investigating the matter.
Prior to the confirmation from his wife, earlier reports suggested that Sharif had been killed in an accident.
Sharif was formerly affiliated with ARY News and had relocated to Dubai after leaving the network. A few days before departing for Kenya, he was spotted in London after arriving from Dubai.
Pakistan in contact with Kenya
In the meantime, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed regret over the journalist’s death and stated that the Pakistani government is in contact with Kenyan authorities regarding this matter.
The shocking murder of journalist Arshad Sharif is an irreparable loss for Pakistan’s journalistic community.
The foreign minister expressed his condolences to Arshad Sharif’s family, the journalist community, and his fans.
Earlier today, a petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) asking the court to form a panel to ascertain facts related to 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.
Absolutely shocked to hear of Arshad sharif’s death. Allah Jannat naseeb karay.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 24, 2022
