Arshad Sharif Murder Case

Arshad Sharif, the Pakistani investigative journalist, tragically lost his life in Kenya, sparking outrage and raising many questions. Here’s what we know:

The Incident:

• Late one evening, Sharif was a passenger in a Toyota Land Cruiser traveling on an unpaved rural road near Nairobi, Kenya.
• Shots were fired at the vehicle by police, resulting in Sharif’s death.
• Police have provided contradictory statements regarding the shooting. One account suggests mistaken identity, while another claims that someone inside the vehicle fired first.

Sharif’s Background:

• Sharif was known for criticizing Pakistan’s military and supporting ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan.
• He had complained of harassment before leaving Pakistan and had been in the United Arab Emirates and possibly the UK before arriving in Kenya.

Investigation:

• Pakistani investigators have called Sharif’s killing a “planned assassination.”
• Kenya’s police watchdog and Internal Affairs Unit are examining the incident.

Reasons of Murder

1. Cause of Death:
   • Arshad Sharif died from gunshot wounds.
   • The initial postmortem report revealed that he sustained injuries to his head and right lung, which ultimately led to his demise.
2. Incident Details:
   • On a Sunday evening, Sharif was a passenger in a Toyota Land Cruiser traveling on an unpaved rural road approximately 30 km (20 miles) from Nairobi, Kenya.
   • Shots were fired at the vehicle by police, resulting in his death.
   • The police provided contradictory statements regarding the shooting. One account suggests mistaken identity, while another claims that someone inside the vehicle fired first.
3. Investigation Questions:
   • Investigators are probing two critical questions:
     • How did police mistake the Land Cruiser for a stolen Mercedes-Benz Sprinter delivery van?
     • Why didn’t the police attempt to disable the vehicle by shooting at the tires?
4. Background:
   • Sharif had fled Pakistan earlier in the year due to harassment allegedly by the state agencies and was known for criticizing Pakistan’s military role in politics.
   • His killing shocked Pakistan, and thousands attended his funeral in Islamabad.

Pakistan Government Response

The Pakistani government has expressed concern over Arshad Sharif’s tragic death in Kenya. The media has not widely reported specific actions or official statements regarding the incident. Authorities are actively investigating, and further updates on the government’s response are anticipated.

Case Observation in Kenya

The Kenyan court has made significant observations regarding the murder of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif in 2022:

1. Unlawful and Unconstitutional:
   • The court ruled that the lethal force used against Sharif, specifically shooting him in the head, was unlawful and unconstitutional.
   • Justice Stella Mutuku faulted Kenya’s attorney general and the director of public prosecutions for laxity in investigating the shooting at a roadblock checkpoint.
   • Sharif’s family accused an elite Kenyan police unit of intentionally killing him.
2. Compensation and Ongoing Investigation:
   • The court ordered the Kenyan government to compensate Sharif’s family with 10 million Kenyan shillings ($78,000).
   • Despite the ruling, none of the police officers linked to the shooting has been arrested or charged.
   • The investigation continues, and the court urged Kenyan authorities to conclude their probe of the officers involved.

Case Proceeding in Pakistan

Arshad Sharif’s family has expressed their grief and outrage following his tragic death in Kenya. His widow, Javeria Siddique, described him as a “friend, husband, and my favorite journalist.” She called for a “proper judicial investigation.” Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also reacted, expressing shock at what he described as a “murder.” He emphasized that Sharif “paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth”. Despite the court ruling and compensation, Sharif’s family continues to seek justice and accountability for his targeted assassination

The family of Arshad Sharif particularly his mother nominated several Army officers in the alleged murder in her FIR and other than that Supreme Court of Pakistan took a suo moto action and take up the case in which they formed the JIT for the finding to catch the culprits. Political turmoil overshadowed the case, leading to its indefinite adjournment. In the initial findings, the formed JIT expressed helplessness and blamed the Kenyan authorities for not cooperating with them. However, we can expect that after the clear verdict of Kenyan court, hopefully Pakistani courts will show some courage to catch the culprits and bring them to the justice soon.