Arshad Sharif, prominent journalist who fled Pakistan, killed in shooting in Kenya
The news of the death of renowned journalist, poet orator, and political firebrand, Asad Khan, in a shooting at his home in Mombasa is the latest in a series of attacks on those who try to criticize the state, while remaining outspoken in their criticism of the rulers, and in the case of Mr. Sharif, of the state of Pakistan.
By all accounts, he was a very active, if controversial, voice in the Pakistan freedom movement. His articles were widely read in his country. He had an audience of millions in Pakistan and its neighbors, including his homeland, India. In Lahore, his audience was estimated by the government as being as many as 100 million. He had a following around the world.
As a young student, he was arrested as a “communist” student leader, and spent several years in jail. He left Pakistan and came to Kenya in 1973. He had lived there for a short time before moving to Pakistan. He first came to the city of Nairobi in the early 90’s to speak at the World Assembly of Youth, a meeting of African youth, before he came to Mombasa.
What makes this case so tragic and tragicomic is that while at this public event he used his platform at such a time and place, and used the microphone to speak out about the state of the nation, the country was and remains in shambles economically, and in the shambles of the tribal unrest; the conflict between the central state and the powerful militant groups.
It makes it even more tragicomic because the state is using media coverage to distract from its own corruption and lawlessness. Many commentators, including many highly-respected, well-intentioned journalists, have come out in support of Mr. Sharif and his son.
It makes it even tragicomic because the state is using media coverage to distract from its