Arshad Sharif, a high Pakistani journalist residing in hiding in Kenya since he was going through sedition prices, was shot lifeless on Sunday evening. The journalist was reportedly a frequent critic of the Pakistani army institution and supporter of former prime minister Imran Khan, who was ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April.
“I misplaced pal, husband and my favorite journalist at the moment, as per police he was shot in Kenya,” his spouse Javeria Siddique tweeted.
Now, the Nairobi Police revealed how Sharif, 50, was killed.
In accordance with the police on Monday, it was a case of “mistaken identification” throughout a search for the same automotive concerned in a case of kid abduction.
The police stated the automotive during which Sharif was travelling sped up as a substitute of halting at a roadblock close to Nairobi, information company AP reported.
Sharif, 50, had been residing in hiding in Kenya after leaving Pakistan to keep away from arrest over criticising Pakistan’s highly effective army.
Sharif, the police stated, was shot within the head and killed after the automotive he was travelling in together with his brother, Khurram Ahmed, drove by way of a roadblock arrange on the Nairobi-Magadi freeway to test automobiles alongside the important thing route. They have been travelling from the city of Magadi to the Kenyan capital.
In accordance with the police model, the duo ignored the cops’ orders to cease and sped up. “They didn’t cease and proceeded with the journey,” the police stated. Police opened fireplace and laid chase, throughout which his automotive turned over.
Information company AFP reported that in August, Sharif had interviewed senior opposition politician Shahbaz Gill, who stated that junior officers within the armed forces shouldn’t observe orders that went in opposition to “the need of the bulk”.
The remark led to the information channel being briefly taken off air and an arrest warrant being issued for Sharif, who left the nation. The channel ARY later stated it had “lower ties” with him.
Gill was detained following the interview – and ousted PM Imran Khan’s criticism of the judiciary for the detention led to his personal courtroom appearances.
Sharif’s whereabouts weren’t identified; most of his pals knew solely that he had hung out in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and London.
Pakistani President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who will not be associated to the slain journalist, the nation’s army and different senior officers in Pakistan expressed their condolences.
On Monday, Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf celebration and its senior leaders, together with Fawad Chaudhry, condemned Sharif’s killing and demanded an in depth investigation.
Pakistan is ranked 157 out of 180 international locations on this planet in a press freedom index compiled by Reporters with out Borders.
(With inputs from AP, AFP)