Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Plan to kill TV anchor Arshad Sharif was made in Pakistan: Imran Khan

Arshad Sharif, who was living in hiding after allegedly receiving death threats for his critical reporting, was shot dead by law enforcement in Kenya on October 24.

Plan to kill TV anchor Arshad Sharif was made in Pakistan: Imran Khan

Over the killing of TV anchor Arshad Sharif in Kenya, senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda said that the "plan was hatched" inside Pakistan, media reports said.

These remarks by the PTI leader came hours after the Pakistani government reconstituted the inquiry committee meant to probe Sharif's killing. During a presser on Wednesday, Vawda refuted any involvement of the military establishment in the tragic incident, reported Dawn. As the death of the famous journalist broke out in Nairobi on Sunday night, social media was abuzz with allegations of involvement of the military.


In the press conference that was held at the National Press Club, Vawda predicted "bloodshed" of several innocent people as well as some prominent PTI leaders ahead of the party's long march set to be launched from Lahore on Friday.

However, in a strong reaction to this statement by Vawda, PTI leaders accused him of sabotaging the long march. Later, while giving two days to the leader for explaining his statement he made during press conference, the PTI suspended Vawda's party membership.

During the press conference, the leader claimed that there were some "enemies in the guise of friends" who had misguided Arshad to leave the country although the anchor had "good relations" with the military establishment and there was no threat to his life at home.

"I have already informed Imran Khan about the enemies in the guise of friends and those within the party who believe in a conspiracy theory," he added.

In yet another claim, he said the journalist was killed from a close range or from within the vehicle in which he was travelling. "Nobody will find Arshad's mobile phone and laptop as all evidence have been eliminated," he said, reported Dawn.

Vawda also expressed fear that he could be killed as he has exposed the "enemies pretending to be friends". He warned that if he was 'eliminated' his killers would meet the same fate. "I have recorded a video, spent millions of rupees and named them so they will also be killed if I am assassinated," he stated.

"The establishment has nothing to do with Arshad's killing as he was in contact with them and enjoyed good relations with it. He was brainwashed under a conspiracy... he was misguided," he added. "In fact, his [Arshad's] visa had expired, which is why he had to leave that country. He was ready to return to Pakistan but was threatened that he will be killed if did so," he added.

Pakistan spy chief Nadeem Anjum and Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Babar Iftikhar on Thursday held an unprecedented joint press conference over the mystery surrounding the killing of senior Pakistan journalist Arshad Sharif.

Arshad Sharif, who was living in hiding after allegedly receiving death threats for his critical reporting, was shot dead by law enforcement in Kenya on October 24. Arshad, who worked for numerous media outlets, was an outspoken critic of Pakistan's government.

"Since Arshad was an investigative journalist, he also looked into the cypher issue when it surfaced," DG ISPR was quoted as saying by Geo News. "Facts linked with the cypher and Arshad Sharif's death need to be found. So there is no ambiguity left in this regard," he added.

Arshad Sharif was gunned down in Kenya allegedly by the local police on Sunday night, though the police later in a statement expressed regret on what they called an "unfortunate incident." Kenyan media had initially quoted the local police as saying that Arshad Sharif was shot dead by the police in an incident of "mistaken identity."

Pak media reports say the frequent change in statements by the police in Kenya has created doubts in the minds of people back home. Former Pakistan prime minister chief Imran Khan alleged that Arshad was a "targeted killing" for exposing the two key political families of Sharif and Zardari.

Paying tribute to the slain journalist, former prime minister Imran Khan claimed that Arshad Sharif was killed in a "targeted attack" as he was a true professional who had exposed the two political families and their corruption in his television programmes with proof, The News International reported.

Besides PTI, a number of journalists and several media organisations strongly condemned Arshad's killing and called on both the Kenyan and Pakistani authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to bring those responsible to justice.

More For You

Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

Foreign Office minister Catherine West, health secretary Wes Streeting and equalities minister Seema Malhotra during the Holi Reception in London.

Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

THE recent health and life sciences agreement between the UK and India will strengthen cooperation on healthcare innovation and security in both countries, health secretary Wes Streeting said.

Speaking at the Holi reception organised by the India All-Party Parliamentary Group and the 1928 Institute in London on Monday (24), he added that the contribution of British Indians has been pivotal in the growth of the NHS since its inception in 1948, and a robust partnership between the two nations will ensure we have a healthcare provider 'fit for the future'.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-steel-iStock

An aerial view of Steel Plant Industry in Scunthorpe. (Photo: iStock)

British Steel to shut blast furnaces, up to 2,700 jobs at risk

BRITISH STEEL, owned by Chinese group Jingye, confirmed on Thursday that it will shut down its blast furnaces and steelmaking operations in England, attributing the decision to market challenges, tariffs, and rising environmental costs.

The closures, first proposed in late 2023, could lead to the loss of up to 2,700 jobs at the company’s main UK site in Scunthorpe, northern England, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Keep ReadingShow less
Just Stop Oil

Just Stop Oil has garnered significant media attention with its direct action protests

Getty Images

Just Stop Oil ends direct action campaign after major policy success

The environmental activist group Just Stop Oil has announced an end to its disruptive direct action protests, declaring a significant victory in its campaign to halt new oil and gas developments. In a statement released by the organisation, the group confirmed it had successfully influenced government policy to abandon new fossil fuel exploration, marking a major turning point in the movement’s goals.

“Just Stop Oil's initial demand to end new oil and gas is now government policy, making us one of the most successful civil resistance campaigns in recent history,” the group’s statement read. It went on to claim responsibility for having kept over 4.4 billion barrels of oil in the ground, while legal victories in the courts have ruled new oil and gas licences unlawful.

Keep ReadingShow less
submarine-crash-reuters

People walk next to an ambulance in front of the hospital where the bodies of foreigners who were killed when a tourist submarine sank off Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Hurghada, and whose nationalities are still unknown, are kept. (Photo: Reuters)

Six foreign tourists die after submarine sinks off Egypt’s Red Sea coast

SIX tourists died on Thursday when a submarine carrying visitors sank near Hurghada, a resort city on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, state media reported.

According to the state-owned Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper, all the deceased were foreigners. The report also said 19 others were injured in the incident.

Keep ReadingShow less
EU Warns Citizens to Stockpile Essentials Amid War Concerns

Not all EU countries currently have the same level of preparedness

Getty Images

European Union urges citizens to stockpile food and supplies amid risk of war

The European Union (EU) has advised its 450 million citizens to stockpile essential items, including food and water, to prepare for potential emergencies. This call to action is part of a broader strategy to improve disaster preparedness across the 27-nation bloc, as it faces increasing risks from war, cyberattacks, climate change, and public health crises.

The EU’s recommendation comes in light of recent global developments that have raised concerns about security and stability. Citizens are encouraged to have enough food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies to last at least 72 hours during a crisis.

Keep ReadingShow less