ISLAMABAD: A leader of former prime minister Imran Khan’s political party told a news conference on Wednesday Arshad Sharif’s killing in Kenya was masterminded in Pakistan and he was shot from close range.
According to the authorities in the East African country, the Pakistani journalist was killed Sunday night when the car he was in sped up and drove through a checkpoint outside the Kenyan capital, prompting police to open fire. Nairobi police say the shooting was being treated as a case of mistaken identity.
However, Faisal Vawda, who served as federal minister for water resources in Khan’s administration, called Sharif’s “murder” premeditated while claiming that he was shot by someone inside his vehicle.
“It is not like 20 bullets were fired and Arshad Sharif was martyred,” he told journalists at the National Press Club in Islamabad. “In my estimation, Arshad Sharif was shot from inside the car or at close range.”
He said the slain Pakistani journalist had only received “two bullets in his chest and head.”
Vawda maintained no one would find Sharif’s cellphone or laptop since all evidence in the case had already been erased. He said he knew all these facts since he had never lost contact with the journalist.
The former federal minister refused to identify anyone behind Sharif’s killing, though he said he had named them in a video and given “millions of dollars” to kill them if he was shot.
He also maintained the establishment had played no role in Sharif’s killing since he had positive relations with them.
Vawda said he foresaw plenty of blood and funerals in the coming days, adding he was willing to share all the evidence in Sharif’s murder case with his party chairman along with the top intelligence agencies of the country.
Pakistani opposition politician says Arshad Sharif murder premeditated, was shot from close range from inside car
https://arab.news/v2nka
Pakistani opposition politician says Arshad Sharif murder premeditated, was shot from close range from inside car
- Faisal Vawda says slain Pakistani journalist had only received "two bullets in his chest and head"
- Says Sharif’s cellphone or laptop could not be found as all evidence in the case had been erased
Pakistan Navy tests missile, loitering munitions and unmanned vessel at Arabian Sea
- The exercise reflects growing focus on air defense and autonomous systems in modern warfare
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s navy conducted live firing of a surface-to-air missile, tested loitering munitions and carried out open-sea trials of an unmanned surface vessel during a major exercise in the North Arabian Sea on Saturday, highlighting a growing focus on air defense and unmanned warfare amid evolving regional security dynamics.
The exercise, which demonstrated both conventional and autonomous capabilities, comes at a time when Pakistan is increasingly emphasizing advanced technology and multi-domain operations following last year’s four-day conflict with nuclear-armed India, which reinforced the importance of air defense, surveillance and precision strike systems.
“Pakistan Navy demonstrated its operational readiness and combat preparedness through a comprehensive exercise in the North Arabian Sea, showcasing both conventional and unmanned capabilities, as per dictates of evolving naval warfare,” the Navy’s Directorate General Public Relations said in a statement.
“The exercise included the successful live firing of LY-80(N) Surface to Air Missile (SAM) from Vertical Launching System at extended range, validating the long-range capabilities of Pakistan Navy’s modern air defense systems,” it added. “LY-80(N) SAM successfully engaged and neutralized an aerial target, demonstrating Pakistan Navy’s robust air defense capabilities.”
The statement said the exercise also featured the successful engagement of surface targets using a loitering munition, which it said demonstrated the navy’s precision strike capability.
“Successful open-sea trials of Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) were also conducted, marking a significant leap in autonomous naval technology,” it continued. “The trials validated the platform’s ability to combine high-speed performance with mission-critical durability.”
Pakistan’s armed forces routinely hold large-scale exercises to enhance operational readiness, but recent drills have placed greater emphasis on emerging technologies, reflecting lessons drawn from modern conflicts.
Key capabilities demonstrated during the exercise included extreme maneuverability, precision navigation and weather resilience.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended officers and men of the Pakistan Navy for their professionalism and operational competence, reiterating the navy’s resolve to ensure the seaward defense of the country and safeguard its maritime interests.
