By Tamoor Ahmed
Reacting strongly to the brutal murder of renowned journalist and TV anchor Arshad Sharif in Kenya, politicians, journalists, human rights activists and civil society strongly condemned the untoward incident, expressed grave concerns over the security of the journalists and demanded the authority’s justice for the bereaved family.
The politicians, journalists and civil society workers staged protests and demonstrations outside Lahore Press Club like in many other parts of the country. “The brutal murder of Arshad Sharif has shocked us,” said LPC President Azam Chaudhry, adding that the press in Pakistan is under siege. The LPC president questioned the authorities as to why Arshad Sharif was forced to leave the country to meet fate far away from their home country. Chaudhry also raised serious questions about happening of the brutal incident.
“The way he was shot dead in Nairobi itself has raised many questions,” said Azam Chaudhry, who is also an expert in crime reporting. “We strongly demand the authorities conduct an independent investigation to bring justice to the bereaved family” he maintains, pointing out that the shocking incident caused serious mental agony and a sense of insecurity among the local journalist community. Pakistan Peoples Party Punjab Chapter leadership also expressed solidarity with the journalist community, vowing that they would be standing by the journalists.
“Arshad’s brutal killing is an eye-opener and we make a promise that we will support the journalist community,” said PPP Punjab chapter acting President Rana Farooq Saeed. The PPP leader said they just wanted justice for their brother journalist Arshad Sharif. “We demand the government to constitute a commission for investigation into the shocking murder of journalist Arshad Sharif,” he said, loudly while addressing the party workers gathered outside LPC to condemn the murder of Sharif.
Electronic Media Reporters Association (EMRA) President, Asif Butt also took part in the protest demonstration and demanded the government ensure justice not only for the family of Arshad Sharif but the whole journalist community. “We will not rest until the justice is dispensed,” said Butt. Punjab Civil Society Network President Abdullah Malik also condemned Arshad Sharif’s murder and asked the authorities to investigate the matter. He said the tragic incident brought a bad name to the country across the world as everybody was concerned as to why Sharif who was associated with a local Tv channel as an anchor was forced to leave the country.
“The civil society is in sorrow over the cold-blooded murder of journalist Arshad Sharif and demands immediate justice for his family,” said Abdullah adding that the journalist community which was already suffering due to many factors needed security and protection so the freedom of the press could prevail in the country. Earlier in the day, Punjab Assembly Press Gallery staged protest demonstration outside the assembly. President Press Gallery Ikhlaq Bajwa and Secretary Hassaan Ahmed demanded immediate arrest of those who killed Arshad Sharif brutally. The press gallery body demanded that a high-powered commission should be constituted to ascertain those who are behind the murder of Arshad Sharif. The lawmakers of PML-N and PTI also showed solidarity with the press gallery body.
