Friday, September 12, 2025

Journalist Arshad Sharif shot dead in Kenya; confirms wife

Arshad Sharif suo motu

Famous journalist Arshad Sharif was shot dead in Nairobi, Kenya, Arshad’s wife Javeria Siddique confirmed in the early hours of Monday.

I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist [Arshad Sharif] today, as per police he was shot in Kenya,” she tweeted.

The news has also been confirmed by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Kenya received initial information about the death of Mr. Arshad Sharif early in the morning of 24 October,” MoFA said in a statement.

The Pakistani Mission in Keyna was informed that the body was in Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi. After that, the High Commissioner, along with Mission’s officers, reached the location and identified the body of Arshad Sharif.

It further said that the Acting Foreign Secretary visited the family of Sharif and conveyed confirmation of the sad news and heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Foreign Minister and the Minister of State.

A Kenyan news agency also said the journalist had been shot dead on Sunday night along the Nairobi-Magadi highway in what police termed a “mistaken identity” case.

“Arshad Sharif was shot in the head and killed by police after he and his driver allegedly breached a roadblock that had been set up to check on motor vehicles using the route,” the news stated.

A senior Kenyan police officer confirmed the shooting and added a comprehensive statement will be released later.

“We had an incident of shooting which turned out to be a case of mistaken identity involving a journalist. We will release more information later,” the officer said.

According to police, at the roadblock, there was a call for police to intercept a car similar to the one they were driving following a carjacking incident in the Pangani area, Nairobi where a child was taken hostage.

The report further said: “A few minutes later, Sharif’s car emerged at the roadblock and they were stopped and asked to identify themselves. They allegedly failed to stop and drove past the roadblock. This prompted a brief chase and shooting that left Sharif dead. Their car rolled and his driver was injured and taken to hospital.”

Later, addressing a press conference, the chairperson of Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Ann Makori, said that a “rapid response team” had been dispatched to investigate the killing of the journalist.

Condemnation

After the tragic news, condolences poured in from fellow journalists and colleagues.

President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi said that Arshad Sharif’s death was a great loss to journalism and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also expressed deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family.

 

Price for speaking the truth

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he was shocked at the brutal murder of Arshad Sharif, who paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth – his life.

“A proper judicial investigation must be instituted to examine his own statements plus evidence that other sources have,” he added

Tactics to silence journalists

Similarly, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that a long, grim record of violent tactics to silence journalists explains why the reported murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya has sent shockwaves through the journalist community. It also urged the government to pursue an immediate, transparent inquiry into the circumstances of Arshad’s death.

The owner of the ARY group, Salman Iqbal, also expressed his shock over the tragic news of Arshad Sharif’s death.

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