Why was Pakistan journalist Arshad Sharif shot dead by police? Why had he fled to Kenya?

A senior Pakistan journalist, Arshad Sharif, who was booked on charges of sedition by the country’s security agencies, was shot dead by the Kenyan Police on Monday (October 24).

The incident happened in Kajiado, Kenya, while he was traveling in a car. As per the police statement, Sharif was killed at a roadblock.

Sharif, 49, was a former reporter and TV anchor with ARY TV. He was known for his proximity to former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan.

Why was he killed? As per the Kenya Police authorities, Sharif was killed in case of a mistaken identity.

• Kenya's police watchdog, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (Ipoa), said that they were looking for a stolen car and had put up a roadblock there.
• The car in which Sharif was travelling in broke through the roadblock, which led to the police shoting at the car.
• "The deceased's motor vehicle came upon the police barrier which they drove through. It is then they were shot at," the police statement said.
• Kenya's National Police service also said that it is investigating the incident.

Pakistan Prime Minister reacts: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted that he was saddened and shocked at the demise of Sharif in Kenya. 

He also said that he had a word with Kenyan President William Ruto and has requested for a "fair and transparent investigation into the matter". 

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

Why Sharif had fled Pakistan:

• Sharif had fled Pakistan due to the sedition charges levelled against him by the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government after he had interviewed Shahbaz Gill, aide of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
• After the interview, Sharif was charged with sedition by the Pakistan authorities.
• Sharif's channel ARY, where he had conducted the interview, claimed that it was hounded by the Pakistani authorities. The channel further broke its ties with Sharif after it was taken off air for a month by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
• A close associate of Sharif had said that the journalist had to flee Dubai to save his skin in the case.
• He had initially fled to Dubai, UAE but after pressure from Pakistani authorities, he had to leave the country.
• The reason he arrived in Kenya few weeks before he was killed was because it was one of the few countries where Pakistani citizens do not need a visa for entry, Sharif's associate had told CNN.

Who was Arshad Sharif?

• Arshad Sharif was primarily an investigative journalist and covered political news for the country for national and international organisations.
• He was a vocal supporter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
• Khan on learning of Sharif's death called it a 'murder' adding that the journalist "paid the price for speaking the truth."
• Khan was removed from power in April 2022 and it was after that only that Sharif had also complained that the Pakistani authorities had started harassing him because of which he had to leave the country.  

  

   

Wife expresses grief: Sharif's wife Javeria Siddique said that she lost her friend, husband and favourite journalist. 

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

Calls for investigation:

• After the death of Sharif, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan demanded an inquiry into the matter.
• The organisation, in its statement, as reported by Al Jazeera, said that the "government must pursue an immediate, transparent inquiry into the circumstances of his death."