ISLAMABAD: The General Headquarters (GHQ) on Tuesday asked the federal government to conduct a “high-level investigation” into the killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif by Kenyan law enforcement officials.
When asked to comment on the accusations levelled against the institutions in relation to Sharif’s passing, the DG ISPR made these statements during an interview with 24 News.
In what the Kenyan government claimed was a “mistaken identity” shooting on the outskirts of Nairobi, the Kenyan police shot Sharif on the night of Sunday, October 23, fatally injuring him.
In a letter to the government, the military asked for the formation of an investigative commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the killing of Sharif by Kenyan police.
“We have requested the government to hold a high-level investigation so that all these speculations can be put to rest,” he said.
“It is very unfortunate that people indulge in allegations […] and I think a thorough investigation needs to be conducted to tackle these things. I believe that the probe should not just be into these things but also on why Arshad Sharif had to leave Pakistan,” the DG ISPR said.
Meanwhile, Arshad Sharif’s body will be flown to Pakistan from Kenya today (Tuesday) and is expected to reach the country from Qatar at 11pm. He would be laid to rest in Islamabad’s H-11 graveyard on Thursday.
Moreover, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price about America’s message to the Pakistani leadership to fulfill their commitments regarding press freedom on Monday, he called for a full investigation.
“We’re deeply saddened by the death of Arshad Sharif. We encourage a full investigation by the Government of Kenya into his death. It’s not entirely clear that we know all the circumstances at this point regarding what led to his death, but we do urge a full investigation,” he said.
He expressed condolences to Sharif’s colleagues, his loved ones, and family members. “We’re deeply saddened by the death of Arshad Sharif.”
