Pakistan intelligence distances itself from journalist’s death in Kenya

Islamabad, Oct 27 (EFE).- Pakistan’s top intelligence service ISI on Thursday washed its hands off the death of a veteran journalist, who was killed in Kenya after leaving his home country for allegedly receiving constant threats.

Arshad Sharif was not forced to leave Pakistan and go to Kenya, where he was allegedly killed in a case of “mistaken identity” by the Kenyan police last Sunday night, ISI chief Nadeem Anjum said at a press conference in Rawalpindi, in the northern state of Punjab.

This is the first public appearance made by a high-ranking official of this body to give explanations on a particular case.

Following the killing of Sharif, a well-known critic of the country’s army, the ISI was seen by many quarters as responsible for his death.

“As chief of this agency, I cannot remain silent when the institution is being targeted for no reason,” said Anjum, adding that the authorities of both Pakistan and Kenya were working together to investigate the incident.

“According to their preliminary investigation it happened because of mistaken identity and perhaps we and the government are not fully convinced,” he said.

The government of Pakistan is set to send a team of investigators to Kenya to help in the case.

“Kenyan police accepted their mistake and it has to be examined whether this is a case of mistaken identity or one of targeted killing. There are several questions that have to be answered,” he said, calling for a “transparent and fair probe.”

Sharif died late Sunday after being shot by the police in Kenya, after he allegedly failed to stop at a roadside checkpoint.

The Pakistani journalist worked with ARY for years until August, when he left the country after claiming that he was receiving constant threats.

Sharif had mentioned in September that he had received information that he would “be eliminated”. EFE

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