Pakistani senior journalist and ARY News anchor Arshad Sharif shot dead in Kenya

New Delhi: A seasoned and well-known television journalist from Pakistan, Arshad Sharif, was shot dead in Kenya. Arshad was one of Pakistan's top news anchors. ARY News show Powerplay was Arshad's last outing on national television. 

Initially, it was reported that Arshad Sharif had died in an accident, but later, his wife, Javereia Siddiqui, confirmed that the journalist had been shot dead in Kenya.

Police in Kenya confirmed his death and opened an investigation that likely involved a gun attack.

He had previously worked for the country's top news channels and newspapers. He was awarded 'The Presidential Pride of Performance for his exceptional journalism in 2019.

The news of the Pakistani journalist killing followed the news of two Indians – Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and his friend Mohamed Zaid Sami Kidwai allegedly killed by SSU police who kidnapped the two and a local driver three months ago.

Khan, the former executive of Balaji Telefilms, HOOQ India, EROS Now, and Star TV, along with his friend Zaid and a Kenyan cab driver, was missing in Nairobi since July.  

Dennis Itumbi, a close ally of Kenyan President William Ruto and senior member of the Presidents communication team, labelled disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU) of Police responsible for the killings of two Indians – Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and his friend Mohamed Zaid Sami Kidwai – saying that the SSU unit was out to "literally kidnap, assault, maim, and kill innocent people.