Riffat Ara Alvi, the mother to Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif who was killed in Kenya, has penned a heartfelt letter denouncing the commission formed by the Asian country and flown to Kenya to probe the case.
She addressed the letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial demanding that a high-powered team should be formed to make sure that the case does not become controversial.
Alvi argues that the commission should consist of Supreme Court judges and should aim to unearth the real motive of the murder.
“Only knowing the real motive and criminals and bringing them to justice will end the agony of Shaheed Arshad Sharif’s family and his journalist fraternity. Otherwise, I will rest my case to Allah awaiting His justice.
“I hope my letter receives due attention given the gravity of the case and is not ignored like my Shaheed son’s letter written to the authorities informing about threats to his life,” she stated according to media outlets from Pakistan.
In her two-page letter, Alvi also detailed that Sharif had, in July, written to the Pakistani Chief Justice complaining that his life was in danger.
After no action was taken, he had to leave the country, initially traveling to Dubai, before coming to Kenya.
“On account of this, my Shaheed son was forced to leave the country on 10th August 2022 and had to take refuge in Dubai,” she added.
She also revealed that her trust in Kenyan police style of handling the case has been waning fast accusing them of changing their story at least three times.
Since the killing was reported, the Pakistani Government dispatched a task force to help Kenyan authorities unravel the case.
Pakistani retired judge Abdul Shakoor Paracha as the chairman was chosen to head the three-member team.
The task force arrived a few days after the government of Kenya, on Tuesday, October 25 facilitated the repatriation of the Sharif’s remains to Pakistani.
The development followed a phone conversation between President William Ruto and the Pakistani leader where they agreed to fast-track the journalist's burial in line with Islam traditions.
