Senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif was shot dead in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
Initially, it was reported that Sharif had died in an accident but later, his wife Javereia Siddiqui confirmed that the journalist had been shot dead in Kenya.
Taking to Twitter, Siddiqui said Kenya’s police told her that Sharif was shot dead in Nairobi, while further investigation is underway.
Sharif’s wife also urged people not to share their family pictures, personal details, or Sharif’s last pictures from the hospital on social media.
Sharif was previously associated with ARY News and had gone to Dubai after resigning from the channel. Before going to Kenya, he was spotted in London a few days back after arriving from Dubai.
IHC issues notice to interior and foreign ministries
Earlier today, a petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) asking the court to form a panel to ascertain facts related to Sharif’s death.
Petitioner Barrister Shoaib Razzaq sought the formation of a commission to determine under which circumstances Sharif had fled the country. He also urged the court to issue orders to bring the body of the journalist back to Pakistan.
During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked the petitioner where the body of the journalist was currently. At this, the judge was told by the lawyer that it was in Nairobi, Kenya.
Following this, the judge issued notices to the interior and foreign secretaries. He also ordered officials from both ministries to meet the journalist’s family and submit a report by tomorrow.
Politicians, journalists condole
Following the news of Sharif’s death, condolences started pouring in from across the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sadness over the “shocking news of journalist Arshad Sharif’s tragic death”.
“May Allah SWT grant him a place in Heaven. My deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family,” he said.
President Arif Alvi said his death is a great loss to journalism and Pakistan
PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan expressed his condolences over the death of journalist Arshad Sharif.
PML-N leader Hina Pervaiz Butt extended heartfelt condolences on the demise of the journalist, while PTI leader Ali Zaidi also expressed his grief on the death of Sharif.
Salman Iqbal, the owner of the ARY Group, also extended his condolences.
“Unbelievable. May Allah rest the soul of Arshad Sharif in peace. Ameen,” journalist Hamid Mir tweeted.
Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada said he was extremely sad to hear the devastating news.
ARY News anchorperson Kashif Abbasi said Sharif’s death was heart-breaking and painful.
Meanwhile, PTI’s Asad Umar and Senator Azam Swati, too, expressed their condolences.
Journalist Kamran Khan said the news of Sharif’s death was “astonishing”, calling for an investigation into the killing.
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