Now we have to fight the battle of justice alone. Many people raise their voices on social media, but in the end, the family has to handle everything alone.
Arshad Sharif was a renowned investigative journalist of Pakistan, who was brutally murdered in Kenya on October 23, 2022. The threats against him began in May 2022, and he was ultimately killed in October 2022. While his murder took place in Kenya, its roots are connected to Pakistan and Dubai. Arshad Sharif was not just an exceptional journalist but also an outstanding human being. He not only exposed corruption but also actively participated in agricultural initiatives. He was a humble and God-fearing person who showed immense courage and resilience. Whatever he earned, he invested in agricultural projects. He had no desire for materialistic displays and preferred simplicity, leaving behind no palatial residence. However, the numerous charitable acts he performed will serve as ongoing charity and reward him until the Day of Judgment. His dedication to truth-telling and honesty serves as an exemplary model for future generations.
What was the fault of progress?
Arshad was very hardworking and had a great passion for his work. He remained focused on his work, and when he was called back, he faced many difficulties in his work. Until the last moment, he had hope that he would bring a revolution in this country and eradicate corruption from it. But it didn't happen. Even today, everything is the same in this country. People are struggling to get flour, inflation is at its peak, and corruption is still happening.
Arshad, you never indulged in personal attacks with anyone. You always practiced balanced journalism. You never humiliated anyone; you only spoke about the facts. Was loving this country a crime for which you were sentenced to 16 FIRs?
(Note: Some names and references in the text may not be based on real events or individuals as my training data only goes up until September 2021, and I cannot verify recent events or specific personal details.)
He was a patriotic individual, who risked his life to seek temporary refuge in another country. He never applied for asylum due to his principles and beliefs.
His father, Muhammad Sharif, was a senior officer in the Navy, and his mother, Riffat Ara, was highly educated and known for her refined taste. She devoted her entire life to the education and upbringing of her children. Their hospitality and etiquette are famous within the family. Their younger son, Ashraf Sharif, also sacrificed his life for this beloved country by becoming a martyr in the Pakistani army. Now, their elder son has also become a martyr on the path of truth.
How much you suffered and how you faced every difficulty. Everyone wrote a letter to the President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi. You wrote a letter to the Chief Justice. You told them about the injustices you faced, but nobody gave you justice. You were sent into exile, and no one said anything.
I have a complaint against the state of Pakistan for exposing those who uncover corruption. They are targeted by the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency), while those involved in corruption escape punishment. What was Arshad's crime? The only crime was that he was brave, spoke the truth, and I am deeply saddened by the fact that a journalist who sought temporary refuge in Kenya was not protected and was killed.
Just speaking the truth or considering corruption as bad. It conveyed a message to the journalist fraternity that they should stay silent and not speak the truth. The gruesome images of its brutal murder were spread so that we, the supporters, would become silent, and journalists would become quiet out of fear.
Now we have to fight for Arshad's justice alone. Many people raise their voices on social media, but in the end, the family has to handle everything alone. So we are doing it because Arshad's departure is our biggest loss.The common people are suffering, and the elite are enjoying their trips to Europe.
They are examples of patience and courage. Arshad Sharif went to Ireland for higher education and earned master's degrees with great honor. He worked with Pakistani media organizations and also collaborated with foreign correspondents in the Raiwindz.
When people started abducting and torturing others in Pakistan, you decided to leave the country. The image of your immigration counter was deliberately spread, and some journalists and social media users mocked you by posting that image on social media. They made fun of the injustices you faced. First, you went to the UAE, then to Kenya, where Arshad was brutally murdered.
Who was Arshad Sharif?
He was a highly educated journalist proficient in Urdu and English. He was born in Karachi in 1973. He excelled in the field of education and won awards in debates and sports.
Along with journalism, he was also skilled in photography. Nature, wildlife, and portrait photography were his specialties. He was a loving husband and a compassionate father to his respectful son.
From the beginning of his career, he was exposing the corruption of many political families in Pakistan and speaking out with documents. That's why he started facing an increase in enemies and receiving threats.
He didn't succumb to any pressure, and nobody could intimidate him. But this year, Imran Khan's government was overthrown, and the government was handed over to Shahbaz Sharif. He was deeply saddened by this. They started criticizing Pakistan's powerful circles, and since then, their circumstances changed continuously. Sixteen cases were filed against them, and they were subjected to nationwide raids by the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency).
He enjoyed traveling, hiking, and painting. He was such a gracious host that even today, no one has left our house without eating a meal or receiving a gift. Arshad Sharif was very sociable and always ready to help. He engaged in charity work with significant amounts of money. He never refused anyone's assistance. Thousands of people participated in his funeral, and even today, fresh flowers adorn his grave, and his admirers visit his grave regularly.
The departure of my mentor shattered me. I cry all the time and I have no desire to work. My health is not good. The sight of a lifeless body with bullet wounds appears before me today. He was such an innocent person, so God-fearing. Who committed this injustice against him?
These circumstances were very distressing for me and for them. I became very worried, and my health deteriorated. They contracted COVID-19, and they used to go to the court every day, and at night, they had their TV show. They would get so tired, but still, they wouldn't give up. They faced all the circumstances, trying to prove them disloyal and treacherous. They were not anti-Pakistan or anti-forces. Talking about the corruption of an individual is a journalist's duty, and raising questions is not a crime.
Threats started coming to Arshad, and the pressure to remain silent increased. They were told that if they didn't stay quiet, they would be shot in the head. We all became worried about their safety. When they left the country, they didn't have a valid visa. They were confined to a room in a hotel, but the authorities there told them to leave the country even though their visa was still valid.
They went to Kenya, where they mostly stayed hidden in their host's residence because their life was in danger. Then, when their fear subsided a bit, they started working on YouTube and other investigative stories. When they received their first income from YouTube, they were very happy. Their channel suddenly became very popular. When they started feeling somewhat secure and told us that they would return in December, they were assassinated in a treacherous manner. They were shot in the head so that they couldn't survive.
They assumed the identity of reality in Kenya, which they were threatened with in Pakistan.
My husband saved his life in Kenya. He mostly stayed confined to the residence provided by the host. Why did the Kenyan police target them? They didn't have any weapons; they were unarmed. They were journalists investigating who paid them for their murder. Sixteen FIRs were registered against them. The day they find answers to these questions, they will also find the killer.
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