Widow of slain journalist Arshad Sharif, Javeria Siddiqui, has alleged renewed harassment outside her Islamabad home, raising fresh concerns over intimidation, lack of accountability, and unresolved questions surrounding her husband’s killing.
WEBDESK – MediaBites – January 18, 2026
Javeria Siddiqui, the widow of slain Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, has alleged a renewed wave of harassment outside her Islamabad residence, saying unidentified individuals have again begun appearing in her neighborhood and asking questions about her.
In a series of posts on X, Siddiqui said the incidents resemble intimidation she reported in December 2025, when unknown persons repeatedly came near her home, called out her name, and questioned neighbors about her movements. She said similar activity has resumed this month, prompting her to contact the Shalimar police station, where she said a report was to be registered.
Why Siddiqui says she is being harassed
Siddiqui believes the alleged harassment is linked to her continued pursuit of justice for her husband, whose killing remains unresolved more than three years after his death. She said the presence of unidentified individuals outside her home has left her feeling unsafe and has reinforced her fear that efforts are underway to intimidate her into silence.
According to Siddiqui, one individual has been creating disturbances near her residence while another has been moving through the street asking neighbors about her. She described the situation as mentally distressing and questioned why she continues to feel unprotected despite repeatedly raising concerns with authorities.
In her public message, Siddiqui appealed directly to those she believes are behind the harassment, urging them to stop and to approach her openly if they have any grievance. She also warned that the pattern mirrors what she described as the early stages of pressure and harassment faced by her late husband before he was forced to leave Pakistan.
Who is Javeria Siddiqui
Javeria Siddiqui is a journalist by profession and the widow of Arshad Sharif, one of Pakistan’s most prominent investigative journalists and television anchors. Since Sharif’s killing, she has been a vocal advocate for accountability, pursuing legal remedies and speaking publicly about delays in justice.
She has previously alleged facing online harassment, smear campaigns, and intimidation, which she says intensified after she challenged official narratives surrounding her husband’s death.
Background of the Arshad Sharif case
Arshad Sharif was shot dead by police in Kenya in October 2022, an incident that triggered widespread outrage in Pakistan and drew international scrutiny. Kenyan authorities initially described the killing as a case of mistaken identity.
However, a Kenyan High Court later ruled that Sharif’s killing was unlawful, while a Pakistani government-appointed fact-finding committee concluded in its publicly released report that the killing was targeted and pre-planned. Despite these findings, no individual has been convicted or held accountable to date.
Broader concerns over press freedom
Press freedom groups and journalist unions have repeatedly cited Sharif’s killing as a symbol of the risks faced by journalists and their families when high-profile cases remain unresolved. Siddiqui’s latest allegations have renewed concerns about impunity, lack of accountability, and the treatment of victims’ families in sensitive cases involving journalists.
While Siddiqui’s claims reflect her personal account, they have once again placed the spotlight on Pakistan’s press freedom environment and the lingering questions surrounding one of the country’s most high-profile unresolved killings.
