Journalist Arshad Sharif remembered on his first death anniversary

The first death anniversary of Arshad Sharif is being observed to paid tribute to the life and achievements of the renowned senior journalist.

The senior anchorperson was shot dead in the outskirts of the Kenyan capital Nairobi on October 23 last year. Arshad Sharif had fled to the country after cases were registered against him.

Kenyan police initially claimed that Arshad Sharif was killed in a case of “mistaken identity” but the reports were vehemently contest by his family and the media.

Several Kenyan news outlets not only questioned the police’s conduct but also raised questions over the manner in which he was killed.

The case is currently under trial in the Supreme Court but justice remains elusive. The court has been informed that Kenyan authorities are not cooperating with Pakistan due to the lack of formal treaties.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has urged the United Nations (UN) to form a fact-finding commission to probe into the murder of Arshad Sharif.

Last week, Caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaarul Haq Kakar met Kenyan President Dr William Ruto and south cooperation to investigate into the murder of Arshad Sharif

“The prime minister requested the Kenyan President for facilitation and finalisation of the report of special joint investigation team (JIT) in the murder case of late Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif,” the PM Office said in a statement following the meeting of the two leaders on the sidelines of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing.

Recently, Arshad Sharif’s widow registered a case against the Kenyan Elite police unit for her husband’s murder in Kenya.  Javeria Siddique in urged that the officers involved in Sharif’s murder be put on trial and be punished for their crime.

She urged the court to issue directives to the Kenyan attorney general (AG) to apologize to Sharif’s family within seven days of court’s orders, admit facts, accept responsibility and issue a written apology at public level.

It has also been reported that the five Kenyan policemen, who were allegedly involved in the killing Arshad Sharif, have resumed their duties while two of them have been promoted to senior ranks.

Arshad Sharif was known for his fearless investigative reporting and for going above and beyond to uncover stories that often went unnoticed. His untimely demise sent shockwaves throughout the journalism community.