Evidence of threats to slain Arshad Sharif’s life comes to light
After the claims of the state institutions, several prominent personalities including politicians and journalists have brought forward evidence of threats to slain Arshad Sharif's life.
After the claims of the state institutions, several prominent personalities including politicians and journalists have brought forward evidence of threats to slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s life.
The prominent personalities who confirmed the threats to Arshad Sharif’s life included many journalists and politicians. Moreover, the International Human Rights Foundation and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari have also presented evidence of life threats to the slain journalist.
Arshad Sharif’s killing: Four important questions still unanswered!
The International Human Rights Foundation tweeted, “Arshad Sharif was aware of the serious threats to his life from the Pakistani authorities, yet his thoughts were focused on defending the human rights of his fellow Pakistanis. A true hero, courageous and dedicated to helping others. Investigation must be independent.”
A snapshot of Arshad Sharif’s conversation was also posted on Twitter by the HR organisation.
#Pakistan🇵🇰 Arshad Sharif was aware of the serious threats to his life from the Pakistani authorities, yet his thoughts were focused on defending the human rights of his fellow Pakistanis. A true hero, courageous and dedicated to helping others. Investigation must be independent. pic.twitter.com/qZIKtklXyT
— International Human Rights Foundation (@Declaracion) October 27, 2022
Shireen Mazari, while talking to journalists, confirmed life threats to Sharif. She expressed sorrow over DG-ISPR’s statement about having no life threats to Arshad Sharif. She said that Sharif was in contact with her three days before his brutal killing in Kenya.
Mazari said that she has records of her conversation with Sharif in which he told about serious threats to his life. She said that Sharif turned off his WhatsApp on August 26 and she left a message for him on Twitter to know about his whereabouts.
Mazari said that Sharif messaged her that he was hiding somewhere and informed her that some assassins were sent after him. The PTI leader said that she highlighted the life threats to Sharif multiple times in her interviews while Imran Khan also asked the journalist to be vigilant.
The PTI leader said that Sharif turned on his WhatsApp on October 1 and she again warned him to be careful as the background of his vlogs could have exposed his location.
مجھے بڑا افسوس ہوا آج کہا گیا کےارشد شریف کو یہاں پر کوئی خطرہ نہیں تھا جو کہ بالکل غلط بیانی ہے
26 اگست کو ارشد شریف نے واٹس اپ بند کر دیا تھا میں نے ٹویٹر DMمیں ان سے رابطہ کیا جس میں ان نے بتایا کہ ان کی جان کو سخت خطرہ ہے
:شیرین مزاری pic.twitter.com/LlgdVtRmdZ— Layibaa (@layibaTariq) October 27, 2022
It is pertinent to mention here that in July, the slain journalist had sent a letter to President Dr Arif Alvi regarding the serious threats to his life and other journalists. The pressure was also mounted on the journalist after the registration of different cases against him by the government.
ARY News anchorperson Kashif Abbasi also mentioned Arshad Sharif’s letter to the president in which he sought protection following life threats.
Kashif Abbasi nailed it 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/OMrJ9QXkNf
— Shaziyaa (@ShazziyaM) October 27, 2022
Sharif was killed in Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Sunday night. Arshad Sharif is one of the renowned investigative journalists of Pakistan who covered major political events in the country for national and international media outlets.
After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, the family of the slain senior journalist Arshad Sharif termed his death ‘target killing’.
The federal government announced holding a judicial inquiry into the journalist’s killing case and formed a two-member committee that left for Kenya to collect evidence.
The slain journalist was laid to rest on October 27 in Islamabad.