President Alvi, PM Shehbaz, Imran Khan, Bilawal, Marriyum Aurangzeb express grief, shock over death of journalist Arshad Sharif
ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (SABAH): President Dr. Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb have expressed deep grief and shock over the tragic death of senior anchorperson and journalist Arshad Sharif.
In their separate statements, they commiserated with the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.
“Arshad Sharif’s death Is a great loss to journalism and Pakistan.
May his soul rest in peace and may his family, which includes his followers, have the strength to bear this loss” President Dr. Arif Alvi tweeted on Monday.
Meanwhile PM Shehbaz Sharif in a tweet said “I am deeply saddened by the shocking news of journalist Arshad Sharif’s tragic death. May Allah SWT grant him a place in Heaven. My deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family”.
Former prime minister Imran Khan in a statement issued on twitter said that he is shocked at the brutal murder of Arshad Sharif who paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth – his life. He had to leave the country and be in hiding abroad but he continued to speak the truth on social media, exposing the powerful. Today the entire nation mourns his death.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said the foreign office is in contact with the Kenyan authorities over the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif. In a statement on Monday, he expressed deep grief and sorrow over the killing of Journalist Arshad Sharif saying it is an irreparable loss to the journalists’ community of Pakistan.
Imran Khan said that a proper judicial investigation must be instituted to examine his own statements plus evidence that other sources have. “We have descended into a state of brutality, unknown in civilised society, indulged in by the powerful against those who dare to criticise and expose wrongdoings. My prayers and condolences go to his grief stricken family” Imran Khan wrote on twitter.
Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb held telephonic conversation with the mother of journalist Arshad Sharif and expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic death of her son. The Information Minister also apprised her of the information received so far from Nairobi about the incident.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said we share the grief of the bereaved family. She said efforts are afoot to know the reasons behind the death of Arshad Sharif. She said details will be shared with the bereaved family about the death of Arshad Sharif as soon as these are received from the Kenyan government. She said we are in contact with the Kenyan government and relevant authorities.
She said the Interior Ministry is in touch with the Kenyan Security agencies and facts will be made public. The Information Minister said that speculations should be avoided on the matter.
The Information Minister also held telephonic conversation with the Kenyan Ambassador to Pakistan who assured full cooperation on the matter.
Meanwhile Governor Punjab Engineer Mian Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman and Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi have expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of famous Journalist Arshad Sharif.
In their separate statements, they prayed for the departed soul and expressed heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved family.
Earlier, the wife of Arshad Sharif, Javeria Siddiqui confirmed in a tweet that her husband was shot dead in Kenya.
Former finance minister Dr. Miftah Ismail also expressed deep grief and sorrow on the death of Arshad Sharif. In a statement issued on twitter Miftah Ismail wrote “My deepest condolences to Arshad Sharif’s family and friends at his tragic passing. He left us too early. May he rest in peace. And may Allah give sabr to the bereaved”.