Ms Javeria Siddique, the widow of Mr Arshad Sharif, a Pakistani journalist who was tragically killed in Kenya, is set to file a lawsuit against the General Service Unit (GSU), whom she accuses of being responsible for her husband’s death.
Through her lawyer, Dudley Ochiel, Ms Siddique is scheduled to file the lawsuit at the Kajiado High Court on Monday, October 23, 2023.
The petition, which outlines the basis of the lawsuit, claims that there have been no substantial investigations into the incident, or if there have been any, they have not been prompt, independent, impartial, effective, accountable, or led to the prosecution of the individuals behind the violation.
Mr Sharif lost his life on October 23, 2022, when he was shot in the Ting’a Area of Kajiado County.
The National Police Service (NPS) initially described it as a case of mistaken identity.
In her lawsuit, Ms Siddique demands that Kenya’s Attorney General, the National Police Service, and the Director of Public Prosecutions take action to “punish and prosecute the police officers who killed Arshad Sharif.”
Additionally, the court is being asked to direct the Attorney General to issue a public apology within seven days of the court’s order.
The apology should include an acknowledgment of the facts and acceptance of responsibility by the Kenyan government to the family of Arshad Sharif.
Speaking to Nairobi News from Pakistan, where she is currently based, Ms Siddique expressed her determination to seek justice for her husband and hold those responsible for his death accountable.
“My husband was killed in cold blood, and those who committed this act are still at large, causing us immense pain. Something must be done about this,” Ms Siddique stated, emphasizing that the Kenyan Government should have issued an apology by now.
Arshad Sharif had fled his home country out of fear for his life due to his criticism of the Pakistani government. In Kenya, he was being hosted by two brothers, Waqar Ahmed and Khuram Ahmed.