Top Pakistani officers deployed to probe Sharif’s death
The Pakistan Government has deployed three top military and intelligence officers to help in the investigations of the death of journalist Arshad Sharif.
Athar Waheed, Director /DIG (Police), Omar Shahid Hamid, Deputy Director General, Intelligence Bureau and Lt. Colonel Saad Ahmed have been deployed.
Section Officer Rai Neen Nawaz in a letter said the team will travel to Kenya immediately and will submit its report to the Interior Division.
“In pursuance of Prime Minister’s office, the following team is constituted to ascertain the facts related to the murder of senior journalist Arshad Sharif,” reads a notice dated October 25.
It further added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s High Commission in Nairobi shall facilitate the aforementioned visit.
According to police reports, Sharif was killed by a barrage of bullets fired by GSU police personnel from Magadi Training School.
The killed journalist was being driven by his brother, Kurram Ahmed, on their way from Kwenia.
Police claim the two ignored a roadblock of small stones, forcing the officers to open fire. They said the car the two were driving resembled a vehicle that had been reported stolen
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday confirmed President William Ruto had pledged to ensure thorough and expedited investigations.
“Just had a telephonic call with Kenyan President William Ruto about the tragic death of Arshad Sharif in Kenya. I requested him to ensure fair and transparent investigation into shocking incident. He promised all-out help including fast-tracking the process of return of the body to Pakistan,” Shehbaz said.
According to some media reports, the prominent Pakistani investigative journalist critical of the country’s powerful military fled Pakistani after multiple cases were filed against him.