‘Last year took away my life’, Arshad Sharif remembered on first death anniversary 

It’s been a year since the demise of senior journalist Arshad Sharif who was killed in Kenya. The culprits, however, are still at large and the family awaits justice.

The investigation so far has been futile. According to a Kenyan investigative journalist Nyaboga Kiage, five policemen involved in the case were initially suspended and have now resumed their duties without facing any liability. Two of them have been promoted. 

Pakistan Investigative journalist @arsched died 315 days ago and in Kenya no-one wants to talk about it. He was shot dead at a time when he had made it public that his life was in danger.
Tomorrow, in the Daily Nation read why @PakPMO wont be coming to Kenya pic.twitter.com/4WkMLccWsE

— Nyaboga Kiage (@NyabogaKiage) September 3, 2023

Sharif’s death made headlines across the globe. On his first death anniversary, his family and colleagues are remembering him and pressing hard for justice. Journalism organisations are holding prayer ceremonies in his honour, where well-wishers are paying their respects and reflecting on the impact he had on the field.

Sharif’s wife Javeria Siddique remembers the last twelve months as “last year took away my life”. She stated the struggles she is going through to get justice.

Last year taken away my every happiness. Killing of my beloved husband changed my life. I am fighting alone for justice and this battle is so hard. I have my deep concern over Kenyan and Pakistani authorities failure to fully investigate and provide a credible account of the… pic.twitter.com/pJU9XMwdl8

— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) October 22, 2023

Sharif’s former boss Salman Iqbal recalled his last conversation with the late journalist, saying, “bhai we are here to make this world a better place and we shall do what we were created for.”

Exactly a year ago tonight i received a phone call which changed my life for ever. It was about my brother Arshad Sharifs assassination in Kenya. Having been in the news business for over 23 years this was a story which was the most difficult one to break , should i tell the…

— Salman Iqbal ARY (@Salman_ARY) October 22, 2023

Fellow journalist Murtaza Ali Shah tweeted, “One year after assassination in Kenya, no justice for Arshad Sharif. Cops involved in firing bullets at him are back to their work.”

One year after assassination, no justice for Arshad Sharif https://t.co/UJt3u9IMVa

— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) October 23, 2023

Journalist Jameel Farouqi remembered him as a “big brother” and appreciated Sharif for his “sense of humour”

وہ بڑے بھائی بھی تھے اور استاد کا درجہ بھی رکھتے تھے ، احترام کا رشتہ بھی تھا اور حسِ مزاح بھی خوب تھی ، وہ کوئی عام صحافی نہیں تھے ، شہید ارشد شریف بھائی اپنے آپ میں ایک عہد تھے جو وقت سے پہلے تمام ہوا – اُن کی برسی کے موقع پر تمام دوستوں سے ایصال ثواب کی درخواست… pic.twitter.com/VqljQhqGQF

— Jameel Farooqui (@FarooquiJameel) October 23, 2023

His friend Tahir Malik misses him for ‘all the colours in life are lost after him.’

تم کیا گئے کہ روٹھ گئے دن بہار کہ۔

ارشد شریف کی یاد میں !!!#ارشد_شریف_شہید #ArshadSharif #IsraelAttack pic.twitter.com/L1mz5XSkKE

— Tahir Malik (@tm_freethinker) October 22, 2023

Arshad’s colleague Kashif Abbasi still “can’t believe” he has lost his friend. It’s beyond ‘heart-breaking” for him. 

My brother,my friend my colleague arshad shareef was shot dead in Kenya..I still can’t believe it. It’s beyond heart breaking.this is just wrong.. this is painful.. I love u brother

— Kashif Abbasi (@Kashifabbasiary) October 23, 2022

Caretaker PM Kakar, in his meeting with Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto, when Kakar was in China last week, also asked for the process of investigation to be expedited.

Sharif’s wife has already registered a case against the Kenyan Police in a Nairobi court.