Arshad Sharif receives hero's welcome as body reaches Pakistan

Slain senior journalist Arshad Sharif's body reached Pakistan late Tuesday night after he was shot dead in Kenya on Sunday and received a hero's welcome from journalists, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and a crowd of citizens that had come out to express their solidarity.

In an emotional message, his wife Javeria Siddiqui expressed her deep sorrow and disbelief over the tragic incident.

"Finally, I reunite with my husband after months, but he was in a coffin," she said.

The 49-year-old journalist had fled the country in August to avoid arrest after he was slapped with multiple cases, including sedition charges over an interview with PTI leader Shahbaz Gill during which the latter had made controversial comments.

Alleging threats to his life, Sharif had moved to Dubai in August and later relocated to Kenya where he died after reportedly being shot.

Kenyan national police spokesman Bruno Shioso said the journalist was shot dead by an officer after his car drove through a police barrier. “It is then that they were shot at, fatally injuring late Arshad Mohammed Sharif,” he said.

Read Slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s body arrives in Islamabad

The death of the journalist sent shock waves across rights organisations, the media fraternity and civil society and prompted calls for thorough investigation and disclosure of facts.

Several local and international journalists, including Kenyan media persons, and relevant personalities have raised questions about the Kenyan police's claims surrounding the killing.

Meanwhile, PTI chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan on Tuesday claimed that the late anchorperson had “embraced martyrdom” in a “targeted attack”.

A hero's welcome

Several citizens and activists stood in solidarity as they mourned Sharif's death.

Many escorted the convoy carrying the slain journalist's body and shared the visuals on social media.

Rose petals were showered on as the coffin carrying Sharif was received.

The crowd could also be heard shouting "Allah-o-Akbar" at the occasion.

Others joined a vigil at Liberty in Lahore to commemorate the journalist.

Meanwhile, some prominent personalities and former colleagues of Sharif have called on people to respect the family's privacy in this difficult time.

Sharif's grieving wife has particularly asked people and media persons not to share images of the children and requested for prayers.

Postmortem under consideration

According to a press release today (Wednesday) by Pakistan Institute Of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Spokesperson Dr Naveed Ahmad Shaikh, the medical board for postmortem and medicolegal examination of the deceased senior journalist is under process.

The matter is currently under consideration for final approval by the competent authority.

Six most senior doctors including clinicians, surgeons, and senior-most medicolegal officers are expected to participate in the postmortem.