The phone call came in the late hours of the night, a stark contrast between two distant time zones. It was still October 23 in Kenya, but in Pakistan, it marked the beginning of a day that would forever be etched in memory as the worst in one woman’s life. The voice on the other end delivered the devastating news, leaving her in shock: “Your husband has been in a car accident, and it does not look good. We’re coming over right now.”
The news made no sense. Just that day, she had spoken with her husband, Arshad Sharif, and sought his guidance on a corruption story. He had, as always, been supportive, assuring her it was a good story. A text with a sweating smiley face had concluded their conversation, and she had anticipated hearing from him soon. His silence was unusual, but she did not suspect the tragic turn of events to come.
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In the wake of this heart-wrenching moment, the world learned of Arshad Sharif’s brutal killing. He was not just any journalist; he was one of Pakistan’s most prominent voices in journalism, a cherished husband, a devoted father, a dutiful son, and a loyal friend. His life was abruptly cut short in a violent manner, and images of a bloodstained car from the scene went viral online, a chilling testimony to the end of a gentle soul.
The questions began to swirl. Why was he in Kenya? He should have been at home with his family, his pets, his photography, and his journalism, a source of pride for many. But he had no choice but to leave his home, colleagues, and the work he loved. Threats, intimidation, harassment, and a genuine fear for his life had compelled him, like many other journalists, human rights defenders, and lawyers, to seek refuge abroad. He had first tried the UAE, and when the risk of deportation loomed large, he ventured to Kenya in secret, not sharing his whereabouts to avoid being tracked.
Regrettably, the threats that had followed him from Pakistan reached their tragic climax in Kenya. He arrived on October 20, only to depart a few days later, not as the journalist the world knew, but as a lifeless body.
As the months passed since his murder, the family remains engulfed in an indescribable grief. The upcoming Eid, traditionally a time of joy, is now shadowed by his absence. The void left by his generosity, his gift-giving, and his love for books is palpable.
Dealing with the aftermath of his death has been a series of painful challenges, from the repatriation of his remains to his burial, from the insensitive sharing of his images by the media to the changing stories from Kenyan authorities, and the inability of Pakistani authorities to provide answers.
The pursuit of justice has been equally exasperating, with multiple parties shifting blame and justice remaining elusive. The family continues to knock on every door in hope, but the doors seem to be closing one by one. As Arshad’s name fades from news headlines, the fear that justice may never be served grows.
Arshad Sharif was killed in Kenya on October 23, 2022, and a Pakistani investigative team later deemed it a “planned assassination.” Yet, answers are still awaited, and the family’s plea remains for an independent, impartial, and immediate investigation to ensure that the truth does not remain buried with him.
The unsolved murder of Arshad Sharif remains a painful reminder of the quest for justice, involving not just one but three countries, and the family’s relentless pursuit to find the truth about his tragic end.
