Lahore (Web Desk): Senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif died in Kenya's Nairobi city after an incident of firing on Sunday night.
Confirming the incident, his wife Javeria Siddique on Monday tweeted, "I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist Arshad today, as per police he was shot in Kenya."
I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist @arsched today, as per police he was shot in Kenya.
— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) October 24, 2022
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
According to Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan’s High Commission in Kenya was ascertaining information from the authorities.
Authorities in both countries are yet to confirm the journalist’s death and the circumstances surrounding it. Some Pakistani media outlets had initially stated that Sharif was shot dead but later said he died in an accident.
However, Sharif’s wife later tweeted that the journalist was shot dead in Kenya.
Kenyan media quoted the local police as saying that Sharif was shot dead by police in a case of “mistaken identity”. It said the incident took place on Sunday night along the Nairobi-Magadi highway.
The deceased, who was a fierce critic of the incumbent government and the country’s establishment, had left Pakistan earlier this year after sedition cases were registered against him in different cities.
During his career, Arshad Sharif worked for several media groups in the country and was awarded the Pride of Performance by President Arif Alvi in March 2019.
He leaves behind a wife and five children.
Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah, while hearing a petition seeking an inquiry into Sharif’s death, instructed representatives from the foreign and interior ministries to immediately meet the journalist’s family.
The court also issued notices to the federal and interior secretaries and directed their respective ministries to submit a report on Tuesday.
Condolences
Following the news of Sharif's death, condolences started pouring in from across the country.
President Dr Arif Alvi termed Sharif’s death a loss for journalism and Pakistan.
Arshad Sharif’s death Is a great loss to journalism and Pakistan.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 24, 2022
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
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences for the journalist’s family.
In his condolence message, the premier said he was deeply saddened.
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,” journalist Hamid Mir tweeted.
Unbelievable. May Allah rest the soul of Arshad Sharif in peace. Ameen. https://t.co/l6ELwdCCYK
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) October 24, 2022
Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada said he was extremely sad to hear the devastating news.
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
No words, plz accept heartfelt condolences. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/TPxewyWesZ
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) October 24, 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.
— Meher Bokhari (@meherbokhari) October 23, 2022
Shot dead. Too young. Too brutally.
Still can not wrap my head around it
Stunning, horrific news about Arshad Sharif, a top Pakistani journalist, killed while in Kenya.
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) October 23, 2022