Arshad Sharif Fled To Kenya For Criticising Pakistani Govt
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a statement on Twitter that Sharif “paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth – his life.”
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Slain Pakistani journalist, Arshad Sharif, was reported to have received death threats over his criticism of the military and the government, which forced him to flee to Kenya.
A report by VICE World News, a United States (US)-based media house with bureaus worldwide, revealed that police in Kenya had shot dead the renowned journalist after he flew into the country to escape the threats towards him.
Friends and colleagues of Sharif believed that he could have been intentionally targeted for his views as he was charged in several cities in Pakistan with sedition for his alleged anti-government comments.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a statement on Twitter that Sharif “paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth – his life.”
“He had to leave the country and be in hiding abroad but he continued to speak the truth on social media, exposing the powerful. Today the entire nation mourns his death," he wrote on Monday, October 24 when news of the journalist's death went viral across the country and around the world.
However, the Pakistani government denied the allegations, saying that Sharif was in Kenya for a holiday.
Meanwhile, detectives investigating the murder case found a metallic object in Sharif's chest after an autopsy was conducted on his body by eight members of the medical board at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) after his body was repatriated.
According to the medical practitioners, the object will be used as a piece of evidence to conduct a forensic examination to determine the type of weapon used in killing the journalist.
"This recovery of the bullet could provide a crucial lead to the investigations into the murder surrounded by mystery and controversies," the team, who spoke to Dawn, a Pakistani news outlet, stated.
The 'piece of metal' was handed to the police to aid in further investigations.
"The four officers in a Toyota Landcruiser rushed to erect a roadblock with a view of intercepting the said vehicle. On reaching the barrier, he was challenged to stop but he defied and opened fire at our officers which triggered them to respond.
"In the process, CMM Corporal Kevin sustained a gunshot wound on the left-hand wrist exiting on the palm," the report read in part.
Some officers had disclosed that the vehicle was allowed to speed off the scene, with the officers opting against following it in hot pursuit. Later, they were informed of a vehicle abandoned 12 kilometres from the scene.
The confession counters information from an initial report whereby the driver of the ill-fated vehicle drove into a friend's compound after they were attacked in what was a case of mistaken identity.
The late Pakistani journalist, Arshad Sharif, during a past address. /FILE
