Widow of Arshad Sharif alleges renewed harassment in Islamabad

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 17 January 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Javeria Siddique, widow of slain journalist Arshad Sharif, says unidentified individuals have reappeared near her Islamabad home asking about her, prompting her to contact Shalimar police; she fears intimidation and lack of accountability in her husband's case.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Journalist Javeria Siddique, the widow of slain Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, has alleged a fresh wave of harassment outside her home in Islamabad, saying unidentified individuals have again begun appearing in her neighborhood and asking questions about her.

In a detailed post on X, Siddique said the incidents mirror intimidation she reported in December 2025, when people came to her house calling her name and seeking information about her from neighbors. She said similar activity has resumed this month, prompting her to contact the Shalimar police station, where she said a report would be registered.

Renewed allegations of intimidation

According to Siddique, the recent incidents involve one person creating disturbances outside her home while another moves around the street inquiring about her. She described the situation as deeply distressing and said it has left her feeling unsafe in her own country. Siddique also wrote that she fears her case seeking justice for her husband may be closed without meaningful action, a concern she framed as part of a broader lack of accountability.

In her post, Siddique directly appealed to whoever she believes is responsible for the harassment to stop and to approach her openly if there is a grievance. She linked the current situation to what she described as the early stages of harassment faced by her late husband before he was forced into exile.

Background of the Arshad Sharif case

Arshad Sharif, a prominent Pakistani journalist and television anchor, was shot dead by police in Kenya in October 2022, an incident that sparked widespread outrage in Pakistan and international scrutiny. Kenyan authorities later investigated the killing.

A Kenyan High Court ruling subsequently declared Sharif’s death unlawful, while a Pakistani government-appointed fact-finding team concluded in its publicly released report that the killing was a targeted and pre-planned act. Despite these findings, no individual has been convicted in connection with the case.

Press freedom and accountability concerns

Siddique has repeatedly said she is pursuing justice for her husband through legal petitions and public advocacy, arguing that delays and gaps in accountability have compounded her vulnerability. She has also previously alleged online harassment and smear campaigns alongside the physical intimidation she says she faces.

Press freedom organizations and journalist unions have cited Sharif’s killing as emblematic of the risks faced by journalists and their families when high-profile cases remain unresolved. While Siddique’s recent statements reflect her personal account, they have renewed attention on broader concerns about journalist safety, impunity, and the treatment of victims’ families.

ATTRIBUTION: Based on Javeria Siddique’s public statement on X, publicly available Pakistani fact-finding reports, and judgments of the Kenyan High Court.

PHOTO: Screenshot from Javeria Siddique’s official YouTube channel

KEY POINTS:

• Widow Javeria Siddique reports unidentified individuals returning to her Islamabad street and asking neighbors about her.
• She says one person creates disturbances while another questions residents, causing distress and insecurity.
• Siddique contacted Shalimar police and intends to register a formal complaint.
• She fears renewed intimidation and that efforts to secure justice for her slain husband may be undermined.
• The incidents echo harassment she says her husband faced before his exile and subsequent killing in Kenya.