Pakistani High Commissioner to Kenya Saqlain Syedah has termed the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif on Sunday a “mishap”.
Syedah made the comments while speaking to journalists, footage of which has been shared by Kenyan newspaper Nation on Tuesday. Syedah said Arshad had been killed in a “mishap by Kenya police”.
Syedah said a post-mortem had been conducted. Responding to a question more additional details, Syedah clarified how the other occupant in the vehicle carrying Arshad, earlier reported as his brother, was actually a member of the family hosting him. “He was driving the vehicle. He’s the brother of his (Arshad’s) host, she said. He remained unhurt, according to the Pakistani envoy. She said Arshad was holidaying in Kenya where he had arrived on a visit visa.
Arshad was killed in Kenya on Sunday. Local police billed the incident as a case of ‘mistaken identity’ while social media was rife with accusations. His wife Javeria, separately, reiterated calls for the family’s right to privacy be respected. Kenya media, separately, has not been buying the police version (of events).
