ISLAMABAD: Amid slogan chanting by emotionally-charged crowd, slain journalist Arshad Sharif was laid to rest at the H-11 graveyard on Thursday in the presence of thousands of people from all walks of life.

The funeral prayer of the senior journalist was held at the ground adjacent to Faisal Mosque. The main prayers hall as well its veranda of the mosque were filled with the bedding of FC personnel who have been stationed here.

The FC and Sindh police personnel have been called as part of security measures ahead of the long march announced by the PTI and are staying in the mosque.

Due to the huge participation, vehicles were parked as far as Margalla Road and in the lanes of E-7, and many people could not reach the mosque by 2pm to attend the final prayers. Those failing to reach on time offered the funeral prayer in abstenia later.

PTI leaders Murad Saeed, Senator Azam Swati, Shibli Faraz and PPP’s Faisal Karim Kundi were among politicians who attended the funeral prayers.

Emotional scenes were witnessed as the participants raised slogans hurling accusations against the killing of Arshad Sharif at the hands of the Kenyan police.

A large number of traffic police officials, Islamabad police and intelligence personnel were deployed around the mosque.

Dawn.com reported that security around Faisal Mosque was beefed up ahead of the funeral with the deployment of 3,792 personnel. These included six inspectors and 1,010 police constables.

The security arrangements were overseen by three superintendents of police and five assistant superintendents of police/deputy superintendents of police, the order said.

As many as 204 Sindh police personnel and 2,500 FC personnel had also been deputed to assist the Islamabad police, the order said.

Later, the body of the journalist was shifted to the H-11 graveyard where crowds raised slogans against his killing. The rush of people caused traffic congestion at the main road between the graveyard and the police lines.

Meanwhile, Unesco has mourned the killing of Arshad Sharif with its Director General Audrey Azoulay deploring the incident.

Unesco said in a statement: “It is crucial that the investigation launched by the Kenyan authorities be thorough and transparent and shed light on the motives of this killing to determine the appropriate prosecutorial response.”

It said the organisation promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.— Amin Ahmed also contributed to the report

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2022