Beijing: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar took a significant step in the pursuit of justice by reaching out to Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto during the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing. The primary agenda of this outreach was to seek support in concluding the investigation into the tragic murder of senior Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, who met his untimely demise on October 23, 2022, during his stay in Kenya.
In an official statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, it was stated that “The caretaker prime minister requested the Kenyan president for facilitation and finalization of the report of the Special Joint Investigation Team in the murder case of the late Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif.”
While discussing the investigation, both leaders also engaged in fruitful dialogues regarding the enhancement of bilateral cooperation across various sectors. They reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with a particular focus on trade, investment, education, and people-to-people contacts.
Highlighting the significance of economic cooperation, the leaders expressed their intention to bolster collaboration to fully realize the potential of bilateral trade. Prime Minister Kakar emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to fostering development and shared prosperity and welcomed collaboration with fellow members of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), including Kenya, for the identification and development of new projects and initiatives.
“This commitment underscores Pakistan’s unwavering dedication to promoting development and shared prosperity through enhanced cooperation and partnerships,” stated the Prime Minister.
In response, President Dr. Ruto expressed his country’s keen interest in learning from Pakistan’s expertise in sectors such as agriculture and healthcare.
The meeting concluded with Prime Minister Kakar extending an invitation to President Ruto to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience, an invitation warmly accepted. Additionally, the Kenyan Prime Minister was invited to visit Pakistan, with the specifics of these visits to be worked out through diplomatic channels.
This diplomatic exchange holds the promise of not only furthering the investigation into the tragic death of Arshad Sharif but also strengthening the ties between Pakistan and Kenya in various areas of mutual interest. The global community eagerly awaits the outcome of these collaborative efforts in pursuit of justice and shared prosperity.
