Arshad Sharif, a prominent Pakistani news anchor, was shot and killed in Kenya, according to his wife on Monday. He had just recently left his country to avoid being detained on allegations of sedition.
Sharif was a vocal opponent of the influential military establishment and a backer of Imran Khan, the former prime minister who lost his job in a no-confidence vote in the parliament in April.
“I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist today. As per police, he was shot in Kenya,” his wife, Javeria Siddique, tweeted on Monday.
Pakistani Court Bans ‘Two Finger’ Virginity Test Of Rape Victims
Senior opposition lawmaker Shahbaz Gill, who Sharif spoke with in August, advised subordinate military members not to obey orders that went against “the will of the majority.”
The news channel was briefly taken off the air as a result of the remark, and Sharif, who had already left the country, had an arrest order issued.
Later, the ARY channel claimed to have “broken relations” with him.
Following the interview, Gill was arrested, and Khan’s criticism of the legal system for the arrest led to his court appearances.
Over the course of Pakistan’s 75-year history, the military has dominated the country for several decades, and criticism of the security establishment has long been considered as a red line.
Primate Ayodele: What It Means For Nigeria If Kano Singer Was Executed
“ARY anchorperson Arshad Sharif embraced martyrdom after he was shot dead in Kenya. The local police are investigating,” ARY TV tweeted Monday.
It was confirmed by Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
Reporters without Borders’ estimate of press freedom places Pakistan at number 157 out of 180 nations, where censorship and harassment of journalists are commonplace.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.