Arshad Sharif
Arshad Sharif was a well-known Pakistani journalist, writer, and television news anchor who was known for his commitment to investigative journalism. He covered various political events in Pakistan extensively for both national and foreign news organisations, including those in the United Kingdom. On March 23, 2019, Pakistani President Arif Alvi presented him with the coveted Pride of Performance award in appreciation for his outstanding achievements in the field of journalism.
Early Life
Arshad Sharif, a notable Pakistani journalist, was born in Karachi, Pakistan, into a military family. His father, Muhammad Sharif, served in the Pakistan Navy as a Commander and received the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and Tamgha-e-Khidmat awards for his dedication.
While still a student, he started his freelance journalism career in 1993. He earned a Master of Science in Public Administration from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad later he went to Ulster University, Ireland, and completed his MA in Media Studies.
Career
In 1999, Arshad Sharif began his journalism career as a columnist, reporter, and managing editor for the weekly publication Pulse. Later, in 1999 and 2001, he worked for The News and Daily Dawn, respectively, specialising in the defence and foreign policy coverage of conflicts in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He travelled abroad for his reporting, visiting cities such as London, Paris, Strasbourg, and Kiel, and as a result, he received awards such as the 2012 Agahi Award and the 2016 Investigative Journalist of the Year Award. Additionally, Sharif served as the “Director News” at AAJ News and Dunya TV and anchored the ARY News programme “Power Play.” He fled Pakistan in August 2022 in order to avoid being arrested because of several accusations, and he ultimately settled in Kenya.
Death
On October 23, 2022, Arshad Sharif lost his life tragically when he was shot and killed by local police in Kajiado, Kenya. When the shooting occurred, the Kenyan authorities first said it was a case of “mistaken identity,” but on social media, rumours started to circulate that he might have been murdered. On October 24, 2022, the Kenyan Independent Police Oversight Authority opened an investigation to look into the circumstances of his death. Then, on November 8, 2022, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asked Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to form a judicial commission to conduct an impartial and trustworthy investigation into the murder. On December 6, 2022, Chief Justice Bandial said that he had taken suo moto notice of the murder and was determined to learn the truth about this unfortunate event.
A large crowd gathered for Arshad Sharif’s funeral prayers. Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad joined other close companions and colleagues in paying their condolences at Sharif’s residence.
Following the unfortunate incident, the mother of the late journalist accused senior Pakistani intelligence officials, including Nadeem Anjum, the chief of the ISI, and former Army Chief General Bajwa, of planning her son’s assassination. She cited a strained relationship stemming from his criticism of a vote-of-no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan, highlighted in his show “Woh Kon Tha.” Threats from the ISI and the DG ISPR, as well as army spokesman Shafiq Malik, were among the allegations. However, neither the Chief Justice nor the federal government initiated an inquiry. Similar to this, Somiya, Arshad’s wife, said that Arshad left the country as a result of many threats against his life related to his critical journalism.
Investigation committee
An announcement stated that the two-person team, made up of Umar Shahid Hamid, deputy director of the Intelligence Bureau, and Athar Waheed, director of the Federal Investigation Agency’s headquarters, would travel to Kenya and provide its findings to the Interior Ministry.
The team that travelled to Kenya to look into the murder of journalist Arshad returned home on 8 November 2022, after doing their inquiry.
Fact-Finding Report
The Fact-Finding Report from the Pakistani government, which was published on December 12, 2022.
The report found that:
The assassination of Arshad Sharif was planned and deliberate.
Contradictions in the claims of a crucial suspect, Khurram Ahmed, as well as inconsistencies in the murder weaponry, the bullets, and Arshad’s injuries.
A large number of false information reports (FIRs) have been made against Arshad in Pakistan, the majority of which accuse him of spreading untrue information about the Pakistan Armed Forces and General Bajwa.
Arshad’s wife said that government officials compelled him to leave Dubai without explanation, and his mother expressed distrust in government-launched commissions investigating her son’s death.
Awards and recognition
Pride of Performance Award in 2019 by the President of Pakistan.
Agahi Award for Journalism in 2012.
Personal life
Arshad Sharif has two wives. Arshad and Somiya were married in 2001. Javeria Siddique, Arshad Sharif’s second wife, is a writer, journalist, columnist, and photographer. Arshad Sharif had five children from two spouses – four sons and one daughter. The name of Arshad Sharif’s daughter is Aleeza Arshad. She recently commenced her career as a reporter in the journalism industry. Aleeza Arshad has joined the private news station where the late Arshad Sharif hosted a show on current affairs, inspired by her father’s passion for investigative journalism.