Body of slain Pakistani journalist arrives in Punjab, wife demands answers
The remains of the late Arshad Sharif, the slain Pakistani journalist have arrived in his hometown of Punjab.
Images posted by his wife showed the body in a carton marked in his name.
There were a few people at the airport to welcome his remains, including his colleagues.
The journalist’s remains left Nairobi on Monday night hours before he was gunned down in controversial circumstances.
He will be laid to rest as per the Muslim customs.
Javeria Siddique, his widow has demanded answers on the circumstances leading to his death.
In a tweet, Ms Siddique said, “My husband @arsched coming back to home in coffin. Authorities in Kenya are answerable to us. #JournalismIsNotACrime”
My husband @arsched coming back to home in coffin.
Authorities in Kenya are answerable to us.#JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/aDXdG16EhR— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) October 25, 2022
Mr Sharif was reportedly shot dead at a roadblock in Kajiado county on Sunday with the National Police Service (NPS) saying in a statement that officers manning a roadblock on Magadi Road mistook Sharif and his brother Khurram Ahmed for kidnappers trafficking a child from Starehe in Nairobi.
The award-winning journalist was vocally opposed to the ongoing political developments in Pakistan and specialized in investigative journalism covering many political events in his country for national and international news organizations.
He had left the country earlier this year after several sedition cases were filed against him. He also expressed fear for his life. The news of his demise was first announced on social media by his wife, leading to a speculation frenzy as Pakistani netizens tried to make sense of his death.
“I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist @arsched today, as per police he was shot in Kenya. Respect our privacy and in the name of breaking pls don’t share our family pics, personal details and his last pictures from hospital. Remember us in ur prayers.”
I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist @arsched today, as per police he was shot in Kenya.
Respect our privacy and in the name of breaking pls don't share our family pics, personal details and his last pictures from hospital.
Remember us in ur prayers. pic.twitter.com/wP1BJxqP5e— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) October 24, 2022
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while weighing in on Sharif’s death urged Kenya’s President William Ruto to speed up investigations. In a tweet, the prime minister said, “Just had a telephonic call with Kenyan President William Ruto about the tragic death of Arshad Sharif in. I requested him to ensure fair & transparent investigation into shocking incident. He promised all-out help including fast-tracking the process of return of the body to Pakistani.”
Just had a telephonic call with Kenyan President William Ruto about the tragic death of Arshad Sharif in 🇰🇪. I requested him to ensure fair & transparent investigation into shocking incident. He promised all-out help including fast-tracking the process of return of the body to 🇵🇰
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 24, 2022
According to the Muslim tradition, Mr Sharif will be buried in Islamabad’s H-11 graveyard on Thursday.