Arshad Sharif’s dead body identified by Pakistani ambassador: Marriyum Aurangzeb

ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (SABAH): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Monday that the Pakistani Ambassador to Kenya Syeda Saqlain has identified slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s body.

Following his wife’s statement, the Foreign Office said that they are in contact with the Kenyan authorities and are trying to get more information. While speaking to the media in Islamabad, the federal minister offered condolences to the bereaved family of Arshad Sharif.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the government talked to the ambassador of Kenya in Pakistan. She had identified his body, the minister said. The Kenya government is yet to issue any official statement about Arshad Sharif’s death. Once the government receives any details from the Kenyan authorities, it will be shared with Arshad Sharif’s family and the public, as well, she added.

She said the government has talked to Arshad Sharif’s mother on the telephone and informed her about the progress and information received so far. The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Kenya will go to the IG police office while the Ministry of Interior has also been in touch with Kenyan security agencies. The government will determine all the facts of the Arshad Sharif’s case.

She warned, further that speculations should be avoided in Arshad Sharif’s case. Afterward, she went to Sharif’s house and offered condolences to the bereaved family of Arshad Sharif. While speaking outside Sharif’s house, the federal minister said the journalist died in Nairobi, a person who was driving a car was a local citizen while further investigation was being conducted.

Pakistani ambassador in Kenya arrived at the mortuary on the instructions of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif while the Interior Ministry is working fast to bring the body to Pakistan. All matters will be completed only after the initial investigation, Marriyum added. She also appealed not to play politics during this time.

The incident took place when he was travelling to Nairobi from the country’s Magadi town. According to Kenyan media, Arshad Sharif was shot in the head and killed by police after he and his driver allegedly breached a roadblock. Detailing the incident, the Kenyan media quoting the police said that the manned roadblock had received information to intercept a car similar to the one, Arshad Sharif and his driver were in, following a carjacking incident in Nairobi in which a child was allegedly taken hostage.