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."
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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.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences for the journalist’s family.
In his condolence message, the premier said he was deeply saddened.
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“Unbelievable. May Allah rest the soul of Arshad Sharif in peace. Ameen,” journalist Hamid Mir tweeted.
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Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada said he was extremely sad to hear the devastating news.
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