Pakistan woke up to heart-wrenching news on Monday that spread around like wildfire; the news of senior journalist Arshad Sharif being 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
The news was confirmed by Arshad Sharif’s wife and immediately sent people all over the world in utter shock and mourning for the famous journalist who had won hearts over the country and overseas as well. Today, on Thursday, the Pride of Performance winner will be finally laid to rest although those who killed him are still out and alive.
Congratulations @arsched #PrideOfPakistanArshadSharif pic.twitter.com/qYScXdKbb9
— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) March 23, 2019
As soon as the news broke out, it also brought speculations and rumors. Although according to the Kenyan authorities, Arshad was shot in a case of “mistaken identity” when police mistook his car for a suspect’s and had to stop it, almost no one is satisfied with this conclusion.
PRESS STATEMENT pic.twitter.com/jDsqmQtzlb
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) October 24, 2022
Questions have been raised on the murder of Arshad Sharif by prominent public figures from around the world. The US and the UN have also asked for a fair and transparent inquiry and investigation. Soon after the news came out, PM Shahbaz Sharif also issued a statement that said he has talked to the President of Kenya to request that he ensures a proper investigation.
The utter shock and chaos that followed the untimely death of one of the best journalists ever in Pakistan were much expected. Arshad Sharif was always lauded for speaking the truth and standing against some of the most powerful authorities in times of need. Arshad used to criticize Army on a lot of occasions, especially regarding their involvement in the state decision. We all remember how he called out the defense authorities for controlling everything in the state whereas our judicial system states that the army should have nothing to do with the state decisions.
After leaving Pakistan in August, Arshad Sharif last became a news flash when the trailer for “Behind Closed Doors.” Was launched. The documentary talks about the powerful politicians that use the international financial system for hiding away their corruption. Not only does Arshad Sharif makes an appearance in the documentary with some other popular figures like Ex-PM Imran Khan, but he can also be seen talking specifically about the PLM-N or Sharif’s family corruption. The trailer shows Arshad saying, “Accounts were opened in the name of these low-level low-wage employees who do not come into the tax net. Money used to be deposited in those accounts and finally, they used to land in the accounts of either Mr. Hamza Shahbaz, Mr. Salman Shahbaz, or Mr. Shehbaz Sharif himself. They said people used to come with gunmen into the banks.”
Arshad Sharif's latest work, the documentary: #BehindClosedDoors and his YouTube Vlogs seem to be the reason of his assassination by the state sponsored criminal cartel of Pakistan.#ArshadSharifShaheed pic.twitter.com/n2YKwOYlRE
— Adil Raja (@soldierspeaks) October 24, 2022
It also doesn’t help that Arshad Sharif was a big PTI supporter who was even friends with the chairman and former premier Imran Khan. Arshad’s 10-minute speech when Imran Khan was ousted and the Regime Change occurred. At this time, the political tensions in the country were an all-time high. There were also a lot of conflicts on the “cipher” as political parties were denying it. There are also multiple incidents when Arshad lashed out at PML-N regarding their corruption.
Arshad Sharif also posted a story on this regard that was captioned, “In this part, we discuss how big powers, the so-called super powers force a regime change. How economy comes into play and how economic sanctions are used as a tool to enforce change that is not wanted by the people of that particular country.”
Arshad’s death is raising a lot of questions and concerns because the case is as mysterious as it gets. Why was Arshad targeted in the head for not stopping the car or why was his driver not shot? All the authorities have requested a thorough investigation of the attack to find out the truth so that justice can be sought. Arshad had made his mark on Pakistani journalism and media through his investigative stories and justly approach. Even when he was forced to leave the country, he loved so dearly due to the harassment and death threats, he still did not stop speaking about what was wrong and holding the accused accountable.
Arshad Sharif was one of the people who was adored and loved by a million people in Pakistan. He was a national hero and was always seen supporting the judicious society. Just a couple of days before he was shot, Arshad uploaded a video on his official YouTube channel to discuss the disqualification of Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. Arshad also revealed that this hideous plot of the current government will not end there, soon they will also accuse Khan of a criminal case.
A proper judicial investigation must be instituted to examine his own statements plus evidence that other sources have. We have descended into a state of brutality, unknown in civilised society, indulged in by the powerful against those who dare to criticise & expose wrongdoings
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 24, 2022
Just a few months back, Arshad was facing intense harassment and receiving death threats due to his loud and honest opinions regarding the current government and the army. This is when Arshad left the country and fled to Dubai in August. Arshad stayed a few days in Dubai and then moved to Nairobi, Kenya. This self-exile and his murder should be investigated properly so that the man who was a voice for all the citizens of Pakistan, who never left the side of truth, and the one who stood his ground can be brought to justice.
Just like Arshad Sharif said himself, “journalism is not a crime”, a journalist is meant to be a person who has their roots deep in loyalty and understands that speaking the truth is a must even if you are the only one doing it. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has accounted for a judicial commission that will probe the killing of Arshad Sharif and conduct a “transparent investigation”. Over more, what comes what consoles the public during these trying times is the fact that the Islamabad High Court had ordered the government to include media and journalist bodies in the investigation commission.
Furthermore, DG ISPR has also said that “a thorough probe should be conducted not just about the killing but where did he live all this time; what were the circumstances leading to this incident; and why Sharif had to leave Pakistan in the first place.” United Nations has also called Kenya to conduct a thorough investigation. While this is quite reassuring, it is also really important and consoling.
High-profile cases like these have the power to blow up and this is why it is necessary that a transparent investigation is held where all the facts are made public. The killing should be studied up close from all angles and handled by professionals who are experts at what they do. This judicial commission should also be mandated to go to any extent to bring under everyone who has a shadow of doubt over them. After all, this is how justice is bought, not behind closed doors or kept away from the public eye, but out in public so that there is no attempt ever made to cover it up.
Arshad Sharif was a national hero, also awarded the Pride of Performance by the government of Pakistan, and holding the criminals accountable for his cold-blooded murder is really important. There is nothing more tragic than a loss of human life and as Arshad is laid to rest today, we hope that his accused are caught and justice is served.
