Friends of Zulfiqar Khan appeal to PM Modi to order probe into his disappearance in Kenya

New Delhi: Zulfi is alive, said friends of the top India media executive Zulfiqar Khan on Wednesday, who is missing in Kenya for over 93 days.

In a press note, the friends appealed to the prime minister Narendra Modi to form an investigation team and immediately launch an investigation in Kenya with the help from Kenyan Government to find Zulfi.

It is pertinent to note that Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered a high-level probe in the killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif by Kenya police, following which the interior ministry of Pakistan has already consituted a team for further investigation into the killing.

Rejecting the claims made by Dennis Itumbi, a close aide of Kenyan President William Ruto, the note said, “You may have read media reports quoting Facebook and Twitter post by Mr. Dennis Itumbi, (who does not work for the Kenyan Government) that personnel of an elite unit of DCI (Directorate of Crime Investigation) of Kenya kidnapped Zulfi along with two others. He further claims to be in the know of their ‘painful last moments’. This Facebook post by Mr Itumbi and other social media posts on Twitter by Kenyan influencers are speculative and thus misleading. The information is not supported with evidence and they seem to have built their own narrative. Most media reports are basis Mr Dennis Itumbi’s Facebook and Twitter post.”

The press note accused the Kenyan media of insensitive reporting.

“The Kenyan media reportage has been largely unverified with no regard to the facts of the case or sentiments of the families affected,” it said.

Quoting the statement released by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) earlier this week on Monday, the friends of Zulfi said that all the indications made them belive that he is alive.

“The MEA statement clearly states that the Indian High Commissioner has called on the Kenyan president HE Mr William Samoei Ruto to request expediting the investigation into the matter. The statement mentions that the case is under ‘active investigation’ at this moment. There is no conclusive finding that Zulfi is no more. There is no evidence claimed or produced by Kenyan authorities that indicates that Zulfi is no more. The case is under active investigation and that is all that we have from the authorities,” the statement said.

“We request the Indian media to extend a helping hand and do its own investigation to find the son of this country and get him back! We owe this to Zulfi!” it added.