Donate
Press FreedomTop stories

More pressure to resolve murder of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing in Kenya- media rights group, RSF speaks

Elimelech Miranyi
By Elimelech Miranyi
3 Min Read
Outspoken Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif killed in Kenya/ Pic: courtesy

ARY News TV anchor Arshad Sharif was assassinated in Kenya three months ago. The Pakistani government recently appointed a new team of investigators to pursue the matter, which has been applauded by the international watchdog organization, Reporters Without Borders. However, still more is yet to be done!

Arshad Sharif, an anchor and TV analyst, was shot dead by the police on 23 October in Kenya. The authorities in Nairobi described the incident as a case of mistaken identity. 

An autopsy report dated 4 November contradicted the clarity of Arshad’s death by the Kenyan authorities, calling into question the exact course of events.

“Three months after Arshad Sharif’s brutal murder, the mystery surrounding the circumstances of his death is more impenetrable than ever. After managing to retrace his movements during the three months preceding this tragedy, we ask the investigators to leave no leads unexplored regarding the motives for the murder and to coordinate better with the Emirati and Kenyan authorities manifestly involved. The reliability of the investigation results and, therefore, the credibility of Pakistan’s civilian institutions are at stake.”

RSF said it had conducted its research and wanted the Pakistani authority to “focus on the possible motives for the investigative journalist’s murder which have until now been neglected.” His last few television talk shows could aid the investigators in identifying potential suspects

As a backer of former Prime Minister Khan and critic of the military, several criminal cases were registered against him in different districts, making him flee Pakistan and travel to the United Arab Emirates in August before flying to Kenya.

“The governments of Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya should sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation concerning this case so that the investigators have complete freedom to track how Arshad Sharif spent his time, to identify those he spoke to, and to assess the pressures to which he was subjected in the weeks leading up to his murder.” 

Arshad Shariff’s murder remains a hot-button issue that continues to spark outrage on social media platforms, and thus the perpetrators behind his murder should face the full force of the law.

You Might Also Like

Nation Health Journalist Described as Font of knowledge Dies Aged 31

I’ve been made redundant and I’m speaking up about it-Ex- BBC Journalist Carolyne Bii

Mastering Breaking News: Essential Skills for Journalists in the Field

Open Democracy Seeks Africa Editor to Promote Human Rights and Social Justice

South Sudan Releases Two Journalists Arrested Over Viral Video of President Salva Kiir

TAGGED: , , , , ,
Previous Article Journos Quoted: Take special care with coverage of police violence and protests: Joy Mayer, Director of Trusting News
Next Article Relief as Indian journalist Siddique Kappan walks out of jail after two-year-detention without trial
530 Comments