Riffat Ara Alvi, mother of slain journalist Arshad Sharif, passes away

Riffat Alvi passes away just three days after the third anniversary of her son Arshad Sharif’s death

Riffat Ara Alvi, the mother of slain journalist Arshad Sharif, has died, her family confirmed on Sunday. Riffat Alvi passed away just three days after the third anniversary of her son Arshad Sharif’s death.

Arshad Sharif, a prominent journalist awarded the Pride of Performance in 2023 by then-President Arif Alvi, was shot dead in Kenya on October 23, 2022. Politicians and media organisations called for an investigation into his killing, but the Supreme Court and media have criticised the lack of progress in the case.

Arshad Sharif's mother, who was demanding justice for her son, has passed away. pic.twitter.com/eOKUiHfEXd

— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) October 26, 2025

“Arshad Sharif’s mother, who was demanding justice for her son, has passed away,” his wife, Javeria Siddique, wrote on X today.

Riffat Alvi has passed away just three days after her son, Arshad Alvi's, third death anniversary.

Read: Journalist Arshad Sharif shot dead in Kenya

Condolences extended

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expressed his condolences over her passing. Afridi described Riffat Ara Alvi as a brave and remarkable mother who raised a son committed to truth. He said Arshad Sharif was a courageous and principled journalist and a source of pride for the nation.

The chief minister offered prayers for the late mother and for patience for her family. He added that Arshad Sharif’s sacrifice would be recorded in golden letters in the history of journalism, and the nation would always remember both him and his distinguished mother.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his sorrow over Alvi’s death.

“I am saddened by the passing of Arshad Sharif’s mother and pray for the forgiveness of the deceased,” Bilawal said, according to a post on the PPP’s X account.

چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا شہید ارشد شریف کی والدہ کے انتقال افسوس کا اظہار

شہید ارشد شریف کی والدہ کے انتقال پر افسوس ہے، چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا تعزیتی پیغام

مرحومہ کی مغفرت کے لئے دعا گو ہوں، چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری

سوگوار خاندان کے غم میں…

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) October 26, 2025