ISLAMABAD – Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) members are set to travel to Kenya to advance the Arshad Sharif Murder Case, following new developments in the Federal Constitutional Court. The team aims to gather on-ground evidence directly from the crime scene and relevant authorities.
Arshad Sharif, a prominent Pakistani journalist, was shot dead on October 23, 2022, on the outskirts of Nairobi. His killing sparked international outrage and raised questions about cross-border accountability. The Supreme Court of Pakistan initially took suo motu notice and formed a JIT to investigate the incident. Later, after the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the case was transferred to the Federal Constitutional Court for further proceedings.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Rozi Khan, heard the case. During the hearings, the Additional Attorney General informed the court that the JIT’s mandate now includes traveling to Kenya to collect evidence from the scene. The report submitted to the court also outlines steps already taken and proposals for future actions. However, many details remain classified.
Kenyan authorities stated that Sharif was mistakenly shot by police officers who later admitted the error. Although the officers involved were initially arrested, they were later reinstated, raising serious questions about accountability. Arshad Sharif’s widow, Javeria Siddiq, filed a case in Kenya against the police, naming five individuals on charges including attempted murder.
In July 2024, a Kenyan court ordered criminal proceedings against two police officers, marking a major breakthrough in the Arshad Sharif Murder Case. Contradictory media reports, including claims that a person in Sharif’s vehicle fired at paramilitary officers, have complicated the investigation and added to international scrutiny.
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Arshad Sharif had left Pakistan in August 2022 after multiple cases were registered against him, first moving to the UAE and then Kenya. Nearly two years later, the Arshad Sharif Murder Case remains unresolved, symbolizing ongoing concerns about press freedom and cross-border justice. The upcoming JIT visit to Kenya is expected to be a decisive step in uncovering the truth behind his death.
