JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 22, 2022
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - The mother of slain journalist Arshad Sharif says she is still coming to terms with the fact that her son is no longer in this world.
"When he would go to Swat, to Waziristan, and would come back. I still tell myself that he has gone somewhere and will return soon," Rifat Ara Alvi, with misty eyes, told BBC Urdu.
Now 70, Sharif's mother is bitter. "What else I have got now? I have no hope of getting justice in this country."
The BBC Urdu article is on Sharif's murder in Kenya on October 23. The BBC correspondent, apart from meeting the late journalist's family, also interviewed officials and other related characters in Kenya.
Samia Arshad, Sharif's first wife, told BBC Urdu that he had been getting threats for a long time. "The frequency of threatening calls increased so much that he switched off his mobile phone for some time."
Samia added though Arshad was getting threats, she never thought the matter would come to this pass. "A number of people asked him to stop doing the program (on ARY). He was threatened with the closure of the talk show."
Sharif's mother said Arshad informed everybody through letters about dangers to his life. "But nobody listened. Nobody provided him security." She asked who were the people on whose directions more than a dozen FIRs were registered against Arshad Sharif. "These were the same people who wanted to finish him off."
The wife said Sharif was under a lot of pressure when leaving Dubai. "He told me that he had been asked to leave Dubai in 48 hours. He was told to go anywhere but leave Dubai. Today when I reflect, I realize under how much pressure he was."
May 15, 2025: Dawn faces backlash for publishing ex-CJ Qazi Faez Isa's op-ed, accused of undermining democracy and aiding election rigging. Politicians and journalists condemn the move.
May 12, 2025: PFUJ pays tribute to journalists flogged under General Zia’s martial law in 1978, vowing to resist modern censorship and uphold press freedom in Pakistan.
May 09, 2025: In a bizarre media meltdown, Indian TV channels declared war on Pakistan, claimed imaginary victories and pushed fake narratives—leaving even Indian viewers stunned and apologetic.
May 05, 2025: India has banned prominent Pakistani journalist Rana Mubashir’s YouTube channel, expanding its crackdown on 16 other Pakistani media outlets. The move follows accusations of "false narratives" against India.
May 03, 2025: Pakistan's press freedom under severe threat as PFUJ condemns repressive laws and systematic journalist harassment on World Press Freedom Day. Union reports journalist killings, financial targeting, and government failure to implement safety measures.
May 02, 2025: Dawn has strongly denied publishing any report claiming that TTP stole a PAF F-16 fighter jet, labeling the viral screenshot as fake and digitally manipulated.
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?