Javeria Siddique blames ruling elite for husband Arshad Sharif's murder, demands justice

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 5 July 2024 |  JP Staff Reporter

Javeria Siddique has publicly blamed the ruling elite for her husband Arshad Sharif's murder, lamenting the lack of justice. Sharif was killed in Kenya over 20 months ago, and his case remains unresolved.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—More than 20 months after the tragic murder of renowned Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, his wife, Javeria Siddique, has publicly accused the ruling elite of being involved in his death and lamented the lack of justice served. Sharif, a prominent anchorperson and investigative journalist, was shot and killed in Kenya, a case that has yet to see resolution.

In an emotional tweet, Siddique expressed her profound grief and frustration: "The ruling elite is involved in my husband's killing and no justice is served, it's a brutal betrayal of trust and a gross violation of human rights. Imagine the pain of losing a loved one, combined with the frustration of seeing those responsible go unpunished. It's a constant reminder of the injustice, making it hard to find closure. Helplessness, sadness, fear, worries, pain, disillusionment, and trauma I carry daily these all on my shoulder."

Alongside her tweet, she posted a short clip featuring photos of her and her late husband, adding a personal and poignant touch to her plea for justice.

The murder of Sharif, who was 49 at the time of his death, sent shockwaves through the media community. He had worked for several media institutions over the years and was most notably associated with ARY News, where he hosted the program 'Power Play.' Sharif left the country following the arrest of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill and later had his association with ARY News formally severed.

The Kenyan police launched an investigation into the murder, and Pakistan's Foreign Office confirmed that the High Commission in Kenya was gathering information from the authorities. However, no substantial progress has been made public, leaving many, including Siddique, feeling disheartened and betrayed.

Sharif's contributions to journalism were significant, earning him the Pride of Performance Award on March 23, 2019, for his dedicated service. His death not only marked a significant loss for Pakistan's media landscape but also highlighted the dangers faced by journalists worldwide.