Day: October 24, 2022

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Taconic Biosciences Launches First and Only Super Immunodeficient Mouse Models Lacking Residual Murine Fc Gamma Receptors, for Improved Antibody Therapy Assessment

FcResolv™ NOG Models Provide Greater Clarity and More Translatable Data

RENSSELAER, N.Y., Oct. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Taconic Biosciences, a global leader in providing drug discovery animal model solutions, has launched the FcResolv™ NOG portfolio, the first and only super immunodeficient mouse models lacking residual murine Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) known to confound results in antibody-based therapy studies.

Murine FcγRs can cause false positives or false negatives, leading to incorrect conclusions and derail drug discovery. FcResolv NOG models knock out these receptors for greater clarity in antibody-based drug studies, affording investigators greater confidence and more translatable data with fewer studies and fewer animals. With applicability in oncology, immuno-oncology, and autoimmune disease, FcResolv NOG models are suitable for engrafting a wide range of human cells and tissues, including simultaneous human tumor engraftment and immune system humanization.

“Antibody-based therapies represent one of the fastest-growing classes of drugs, creating a pressing need for better preclinical tools to assess therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and bispecific antibodies,” said Dr. Michael Seiler, vice president of commercial products at Taconic. “Taconic’s FcResolv NOG portfolio enables researchers to evaluate drug candidates like these on their own merits, free of interference from residual murine Fc gamma receptor activity.”

FcResolv NOG models eliminate the false negatives that occur when an antibody-based therapeutic’s Fc domain interacts with murine FcγRs as well as the false positives that result when FcγRs trigger residual murine immune activity. They also eliminate costly deconvolution steps otherwise needed to distinguish true drug efficacy from off-target effects mediated through the mouse immune system. With more reliable answers, researchers can target their drug discovery investments more strategically and effectively.

The FcResolv NOG model portfolio is based on the super immunodeficient CIEA NOG mouse®. The portfolio currently includes two models:

  • FcResolv NOG, for tumor xenografts using cell lines or patient-derived tumors, engraftment of other normal or pathological human cells and tissues, and immune system humanization studies
  • FcResolv hIL-15 NOG, which supports engraftment of human NK cells and is suitable for efficacy studies on antibody-based therapeutics with an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mechanism of action

To learn more about the FcResolv NOG portfolio, visit www.Taconic.com/fcresolv. Or call 1-888-TACONIC (888-822-6642) in the US, +45 70 23 04 05 in Europe, or email info@taconic.com.

About Taconic Biosciences, Inc.

Taconic Biosciences is a fully licensed, global leader in genetically engineered rodent models and services. Founded in 1952, Taconic provides the best animal solutions so that customers can acquire, custom-generate, breed, precondition, test, and distribute valuable research models worldwide. Specialists in genetically engineered mouse and rat models, microbiome, immuno-oncology mouse models, and integrated model design and breeding services, Taconic operates service laboratories and breeding facilities in the U.S. and Europe, maintains distributor relationships in Asia and has global shipping capabilities to provide animal models almost anywhere in the world.

Media Contact:

Louise Baskin, Senior Director New Product Pipeline

303-432-2495

Louise.Baskin@taconic.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8670208

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Taconic Biosciences lance le premier et le seul modèle de souris super immunodéficientes dépourvus de récepteurs Fc Gamma murins résiduels, pour une évaluation améliorée de la thérapie par anticorps

Les modèles FcResolv™ NOG offrent une plus grande clarté et des données plus traduisibles

RENSSELAER, New York, 24 oct. 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Taconic Biosciences, un leader mondial dans la fourniture de solutions de modèles animaux pour la découverte de médicaments, a lancé le portefeuille FcResolv™ NOG, les premiers et seuls modèles de souris super immunodéficientes dépourvus de récepteurs Fc Gamma murins résiduels (FcyRs) connus pour fausser les résultats dans les études thérapeutiques à base d’anticorps.

Les FcyRs murins peuvent provoquer de faux positifs ou de faux négatifs, ce qui conduit à des conclusions erronées et fait dérailler la découverte de médicaments. Les modèles FcResolv NOG éliminent ces récepteurs pour une plus grande clarté dans les études médicamenteuses à base d’anticorps, offrant aux chercheurs une plus grande confiance et des données plus traduisibles avec moins d’études et moins d’animaux. Avec une applicabilité en oncologie, en immuno-oncologie et en maladie auto-immune, les modèles FcResolv NOG sont adaptés à la greffe d’un large éventail de cellules et tissus humains, y compris la greffe de tumeurs humaines simultanée et l’humanisation du système immunitaire.

« Les thérapies à base d’anticorps représentent l’une des classes de médicaments à la croissance la plus rapide, créant un besoin urgent de meilleurs outils précliniques pour évaluer des traitements tels que les anticorps monoclonaux, les conjugués anticorps-médicaments et les anticorps bispécifiques », a déclaré le Dr Michael Seiler, vice-président des produits commerciaux chez Taconic. « Le portefeuille de récepteurs FcResolv NOG de Taconic permet aux chercheurs d’évaluer des médicaments candidats tels que ceux-ci selon leurs propres mérites, sans interférence de l’activité résiduelle du récepteur Fc Gamma murin. »

Les modèles FcResolv NOG éliminent les faux négatifs qui se produisent lorsqu’un domaine Fc thérapeutique à base d’anticorps interagit avec les FcyRs murins, ainsi que les faux positifs qui en résultent lorsque les FcyRs déclenchent une activité immunitaire murine résiduelle. Ils éliminent également les étapes de déconvolution coûteuses nécessaires pour distinguer une véritable efficacité médicamenteuse des effets hors cible induits par le système immunitaire de la souris. Grâce à des réponses plus fiables, les chercheurs peuvent cibler leurs investissements dans la découverte de médicaments de manière plus stratégique et plus efficace.

Le portefeuille de modèles NOG FcResolv est basé sur la souris® NOG CIEA super immunodéficiente. Le portefeuille comprend actuellement deux modèles :

  • FcResolv NOG, pour les xérogreffes tumorales utilisant des lignées cellulaires ou des tumeurs dérivées des patients, la greffe d’autres cellules et tissus humains normaux ou pathologiques, et les études d’humanisation du système immunitaire
  • FcResolv hIL-15 NOG, qui supporte la greffe des cellules NK humaines et convient pour des études d’efficacité sur les thérapies à base d’anticorps avec un mécanisme d’action de cytotoxicité cellulaire dépendant des anticorps (ADCC)

Pour en savoir plus sur le portefeuille de FcResolv NOG, rendez-vous sur www.Taconic.com/fcresolv. Vous pouvez également appeler le 1-888-TACONIC (888-822-6642) aux États-Unis, le +45 70 23 04 05 en Europe, ou envoyer un e-mail à l’adresse info@taconic.com.

À propos de Taconic Biosciences, Inc.

Taconic Biosciences est un leader mondial pleinement agréé dans les modèles et les services de rongeurs génétiquement modifiés. Fondée en 1952, Taconic offre les meilleures solutions animales afin que les clients puissent acquérir, générer d’une manière personnalisée, élever, pré-conditionner, tester et distribuer des modèles de recherche précieux dans le monde entier. Spécialiste des modèles de souris et de rats génétiquement modifiés, du microbiome, des modèles de souris pour l’immuno-oncologie et des services de conception de modèles intégrés et d’élevage, Taconic exploite des laboratoires de services et des établissements d’élevage aux États-Unis et en Europe, entretient des relations de distribution en Asie et dispose de capacités d’expédition mondiales pour fournir des modèles animaux presque partout dans le monde.

Contact auprès des médias :

Louise Baskin, directrice principale du nouveau Pipeline de produits

303-432-2495

Louise.Baskin@taconic.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8670426


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Taconic Biosciences Lança Primeiro e Único Modelo de Camundongo Super Imunodeficiente Sem Receptores Gama Fc Murino Residuais, para Avaliação de Terapia de Anticorpo Aprimorada

Modelos FcResolv™ NOG proporcionam dados mais claros e mais traduzíveis

RENSSELAER, NY, Oct. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Taconic Biosciences, líder global no fornecimento de soluções de modelo animal para descoberta de medicamentos, lançou o portfólio FcResolv™ NOG, o primeiro e único modelo de camundongo superimunodeficiente sem receptores Fc gama murinos residuais (FcγRs) conhecidos por confundir os resultados nos estudos de terapia com base em anticorpos.

Os FcγRs murinos podem causar falsos positivos ou falsos negativos, levando a conclusões incorretas e afetar a descoberta de medicamentos. Os modelos FcResolv NOG eliminam esses receptores para maior clareza nos estudos de medicamentos com base em anticorpos, proporcionando aos investigadores maior confiança e dados mais traduzíveis, com menos estudos e menos animais. Com aplicabilidade em oncologia, imuno-oncologia e doença autoimune, os modelos FcResolv NOG são adequados para enxertos de uma ampla gama de células e tecidos humanos, incluindo enxerto simultâneo de tumor humano e humanização do sistema imunológico.

“As terapias com base em anticorpos são uma das classes de medicamentos de crescimento mais rápido, criando uma necessidade urgente de melhores ferramentas pré-clínicas para a avaliação terapêutica, como de anticorpos monoclonais, conjugados anticorpo-droga e anticorpos biespecíficos”, disse o Dr. Michael Seiler, vice-presidente de produtos comerciais da Taconic. “O portfólio FcResolv NOG da Taconic permite que pesquisadores avaliem candidatos a medicamentos como esses por si próprios, sem interferência da atividade residual do receptor Fc gama murino.”

Os modelos FcResolv NOG eliminam os falsos negativos que ocorrem quando o domínio Fc de um terapêutico com base em anticorpos interage com os FcγRs murinos, bem como os falsos positivos que resultam quando os FcγRs desencadeiam atividade imune murina residual. Eles também eliminam as etapas dispendiosas de desconvolução que normalmente são necessárias para distinguir a verdadeira eficácia do medicamento dos efeitos fora do alvo mediados pelo sistema imunológico do camundongo. Com respostas mais confiáveis, os pesquisadores podem direcionar seus investimentos em descoberta de medicamentos de forma mais estratégica e eficaz.

O portfólio do modelo FcResolv NOG tem como base o CIEA NOG mouse® superimunodeficiente. Atualmente, o portfólio inclui dois modelos:

  • FcResolv NOG, para xenoenxertos de tumores com linhagens celulares ou tumores derivados de pacientes, enxerto de outras células e tecidos humanos normais ou patológicos, e estudos de humanização do sistema imunológico
  • FcResolv hIL-15 NOG, que aceita enxertos de células NK humanas e é adequado para estudos de eficácia em terapêutica com base em anticorpos com um mecanismo de ação de citotoxicidade celular dependente de anticorpos (ADCC)

Para mais informação sobre o portfólio FcResolv NOG, visite www.Taconic.com/fcresolv. Ou ligue para 1-888-TACONIC (888-822-6642) nos EUA, +45 70 23 04 05 na Europa, ou envie email para info@taconic.com.

Sobre a Taconic Biosciences, Inc.

A Taconic Biosciences é uma líder global totalmente licenciada em serviços e modelos geneticamente modificados. Fundada em 1952, a Taconic oferece as melhores soluções/modelos de pesquisas em murinos, para que os clientes possam adquirir, customizar, criar, pré-condicionar, testar e distribuir valiosos modelos de pesquisa em todo o mundo. Especializada em modelos de camundongos e de ratos geneticamente projetados, microbioma, modelos de camundongos imuno-oncologia, e serviços de design e criação de modelos integrados, a Taconic opera laboratórios de serviços e instalações de criação nos EUA e na Europa, mantém relações com distribuidores na Ásia , e tem capacidades de entrega em nível global para oferecer modelos em quase qualquer lugar no mundo.

Contato com a Mídia:

Louise Baskin, Diretora Sênior de Pipeline de Novos Produtos

303-432-2495

Louise.Baskin@taconic.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8670426

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Judicial reforms seen to spur economic growth

Establishment of the Small Claims Court to make Kenya more attractive to investors
Reforms in the Judiciary are part of the government’s initiative to reduce the high cost of doing business in the country and spur growth through speedy resolution of disputes.
The Director, Business Reforms and Transformation in the State Department of East Africa Community (EAC), Odede Kidenda, says the establishment of the Small Claims Court is intended to make the country more attractive and competitive for homegrown and regional Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Operationalisation of the Small Claims Court, he added, will unlock the billions of shillings held in custodial accounts while commercial cases drag in courts.
“The case backlog has occasioned delayed hearing and determination of disputes particularly commercial claims thereby affecting the ease of doing business in Kenya. This necessitated the establishment of Small Claims Court as one of the measures in promoting access to justice,” Kidenda says.
Addressing members of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nakuru, Kidenda observed that the court had helped most MSMEs access their held-up financial resources and assets which in turn have been pumped back into the economy.
Mr Kidenda indicated that MSMEs play a critical role in developing economies by sustaining livelihoods, in particular among the women, youth, and vulnerable groups while contributing significantly to national economic growth and employment.
He said through the court that was inaugurated in May last year at Milimani Commercial Courts in Nairobi, access to justice by MSMEs had been enhanced through a quick, inexpensive and informal process.
As is the case with any other subordinate courts, the Court is subject to both pecuniary and geographical jurisdictions and is limited to matters below Sh1 million and locations determined by the Chief Justice.
The Small Claims Court does not have jurisdiction over criminal suits, land claims, employer and employee relations, malicious prosecution, libel or defamation.
The Director added, “The critical role that the Small Claims Court is playing in development and sustainability of MSMEs cannot be gainsaid. Within the East Africa Community, MSMEs account for 90 percent of businesses, 60 to 70 percent of employment and 50 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.”
Unlike the long process required by other courts to file a suit, plaintiffs in the Small Claims Court only need to download a claimant form from the Judiciary’s website. The claimant form explains the nature of the suit presented to a court. Claimants pay less than Sh1,000 in nominal fees.
“The Judiciary has strived to ensure that the court is all-inclusive, meaning that complainants who cannot afford lawyers can file their suits personally since the whole procedure has been simplified,” Mr Kidenda said.
Under the Small Claims Court Act, all cases should be heard and determined within 60 days of presenting the claim. The judgments should also be delivered less than three days from the date of the hearing.
The court deals with civil disputes of contract engagements, compensation for injuries, recovery for movable property and liability for losses.
Apart from the official languages of English and Kiswahili, the court allows parties to use indigenous languages, Braille and other forms of communication accessible to people with disabilities.
Plans are underway to roll out Small Claims Courts in every county.
Origins of the small claims court can be traced to 2003, when the government launched the Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector (GJLOS) Reform Program.
It targeted a speedy, fair, affordable and accessible justice, especially for the poor, marginalized and the vulnerable through the enactment of initiatives such as Small Claims Court, which would provide a small, informal, quick process to adjudicate minor disputes.
The courts are meant to hear simple cases like sale and supply contracts, property damage and loss and claims from personal injury.
Mr Kidenda explained that parties may appear in person or may be represented by an advocate or next of kin or a close relative appointed in writing and approved by the adjudicator.
“Where the representative is not a legal practitioner, they must seek the permission of the Court and the Court shall only grant such permission upon satisfying itself that the person has sufficient knowledge of the case and sufficient authority to bind the party being represented,” he said.
Court is also not as strict and rigid as is applicable in other courts. It controls its own procedure in the determination of claims before it, provided that such procedure does not offend the principles of natural justice.
It is not bound wholly by the rules of evidence and may admit evidence as it deems fit for justice so long as it does not fail the test of admissibility of evidence in other courts.
The court allows for an alternative resolution of cases and where parties are not happy with the outcome, they can apply for a review within a month or even appeal in the High Court. (KNA)

Source: MY Gov

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Angola at African Continental Free Trade Area meeting

Luanda – Angola participates in the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), set for 27-28 Oct. in Libreville Gabon.
The country will be represented in the event by a delegation led by the minister of Industry and Commerce, Victor Fernandes.

Participants will review and discuss pending issues from the 10th Meeting of the Council of Trade Ministers in Accra, Ghana, on 7-8 Oct., on the launch of the Guided Trade initiative in the African Continental Free Trade.

The goal is to show the continent how it operates, as well as the readiness of the AfCFTA secretary in relation to the support of member states and the private sector for the implementation of the Agreement that creates the organisation, so that the continent-based companies can benefit from
preferential tariffs.

According to a press note reached Angop, joining the AfCFTA requires dismantling of customs tariffs on 97% of products, in a gradual process that lasts for up to 13 years.

Meanwhile, seven countries have joined this initiative. They are Ghana, Egypt, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Mauritius and Cameroon.

The meeting also features the draft agenda for the Extraordinary Session of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on industrialisation and economic diversification, slated for next November in Niamey, Niger.

Angola became formalised with the AfCFTA in 2020, after depositing the letter or instrument of ratification of an Agreement.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

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UoN develops a strategic plan on Disability Mainstreaming

After the recently established Disability Policy at UoN; the disability mainstreaming committee spearheaded a retreat as one of its implementation efforts. The objective of the retreat was to develop a strategic plan and visualize the milestones towards the establishment of a Disability Support Centre.
The 2-day retreat was held on October 20-21,2022 at the Kenya Institute of Special Education and developed a strategic plan for 2023-2028 for Disability Mainstreaming at UoN.
The Executive Director, National Council for Persons living with Disability (NCPWD), Mr. Harun Hassan was the chief guest and he challenged the narrative around PWDs. He highlighted the efforts and achievements that his council has made; including a digital card that will be launched in three weeks, a Scholarship fund as opposed to bursaries will be awarded to PWD students.
The Chair, Disability Mainstreaming Committee, Prof. Collins Odote took the participants through the recently launched policy. Its deliverables, the expectations and the goals.
The participants engaged in brainstorming sessions and came up with the mission and vision, the contextual and stakeholder’s analysis of Disability mainstreaming.
“I am grateful to each and every one of you that took the time to attend this retreat. To think through, to contribute and to strategise on the way forward as a University. I know that you will be champions of disability mainstreaming as you go back to the UoN Community. And I know you will own this strategic plan as one of the stakeholders,” noted Prof, Odote at the end of the 2-day retreat.
The Dean of students’ office sensitized the participants on the different professional clubs and associations that PWD students; UNSA, UNSWIDA and other clubs that are thematic based and encouraged PWD students to participate.
The Corporate Affairs office trained on branding and strategic communication of disability mainstreaming at UoN among others.

Source: University of Nairobi

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Angola’s head of State warns of new Covid-19-related stressors

Angola’s head of State warns of new Covid-19-related stressors Dakar – Angolan president João Lourenço did not rule out the possibility of emerging new tensions factors in the world caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which are likely to give rise to conflicts.
João Lourenço drew the attention when delivering his address at 8th Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, held in the capital of Senegal, Dakar on Monday.
He said he believed that the pandemic had worsened poverty levels on the continent and exponentially increased the likelihood of the emerging of the new factors of stressors.
The President of Republic recalled that, on the African continent, the fight against poverty and the programmes that were being implemented had to be postponed and could no longer rely on the resources previously available, as they had been channeled to fight against Covid-19 and to the mitigation of its effects.
He called for the need to face the situation with objectivity and seeking solution based on the rational and responsible use of available resources, in order to prevent the malicious use of these difficulties by adverse forces.
He is of the view that it seems much more complicated and difficult to repair, in the context of the structural weaknesses existing on the continent, the damage that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused to the economies of African countries.
He said it was “quite clear” that, in the current post-Covid circumstances, there is a worsening of economic and social conditions, “whose effects on the lives of our populations are not negligible”.
João Lourenço said he believed that nothing led him to believe that a new problem with global repercussions could arise so quickly after Covid-19 that had such a dramatic impact on the impoverishment of African families, due to difficulties in accessing agricultural inputs and fundamental food goods, caused by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
As an integral part of this global world, he said, “we stand for not only peace and security for our continent, but universal peace and security.”
He reiterated that Angola backs peace in the Middle East, the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in light of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, as well as the negotiated and peaceful resolution of the conflict on the Korean peninsula.
Angola also defends the need to reach an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations to put a full end to the war in Ukraine, he said.
Food insecurity and climate change
To Angolan head of state, food security on the continent must also deserve attention in view of its importance in peace and stability.
The scarcity of food and water for human consumption “has several causes that our governments seek to overcome with different projects and programmes”, he noted.
However, he continued, the severe drought in some regions of the continent causes real humanitarian catastrophes, as happens seasonally in some countries of the Sahel, in Somalia and part of Kenya, to name just these.
Prolonged drought leads to extreme poverty, the loss of livestock that is sometimes the only source of wealth for populations, he said.
He added that extreme poverty “is a fertile field for human traffickers, prostitution and illegal emigration to Europe or even to feed the ranks of fundamentalist movements that cause instability and foment terrorism on the continent”
“We cannot give up in the face of the consequences of climate change and its consequences on populations, on economies, which have a negative impact on the peace and security of our countries”, he warned.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

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SHARPENING THE ARROWHEAD FOR TRANSITION MISSION IN SOMALIA

Pre-deployment training continues in earnest for Kenya Defence Forces troops preparing to serve under the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). This will be the second Kenyan contigent to operate in Somalia on the ATMIS mandate.
The training, which commenced in August, empowers the contingent with the requisite knowledge and skills for the peace support operation. It also provides an appreciation of current stabilization, and humanitarian efforts, in addition to garnering an awareness on the state of operations and security.
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier William Kamoiro while speaking to Strategic Communications said, “We are currently going through a very vigorous training regime to be able to cope with the conditions in Somalia. The morale is high and we are very receptive to the training. We continue to exercise the integration of various capabilities and to conduct simulation exercises, both of which are requisites to validate the training objectives. It is also a measure of our mission readiness.”
KDF had previously operated in Somalia under AMISOM alongside Somalia Security Forces for more than a decade in an effort to degrade Al Shabaab militants and foster peace and security in the country.
The peacekeeping mission was renamed ATMIS in 2022. It is a Somali led phased mission designed to build capacity of the Somali Security Forces, diminish, and subsequently eliminate Al Shabaab activities, and hand over all primary security responsibility to Somalia forces in 2024.

Source: Ministry of Defence

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Prominent Pakistan Journalist Killed by Police in Kenya

ISLAMABAD — One of Pakistan’s most prominent investigative journalists was shot dead in Kenya in what police described as “a case of mistaken identity,” police in the East African country and relatives confirmed Monday.

Arshad Sharif, 50, was shot in the head Sunday night after his driver allegedly breached a roadblock that had been set up by police to check on motor vehicles on the highway between Magadi town and the capital, Nairobi, a prominent Kenyan newspaper reported.

The slain journalist, with two million Twitter followers, fled Pakistan in August, citing death threats and multiple court cases launched against him and several other journalists on controversial sedition charges. Sharif hosted a popular political talk show “Power Play” for years on one of Pakistan’s leading television channels, the ARY news, before leaving the country.

The news of Sharif’s death spread fast in Pakistan where condolences and condemnations started pouring in from across the country.

Journalists, opposition politicians, lawyers, and rights groups described his death as “shocking and disturbing,” urging the Pakistani government to swiftly investigate circumstances surrounding the deadly incident in Kenya.

“I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist [Arshad Sharif] today, as per police he was shot in Kenya,” Javeria Siddique, the wife of the slain journalist wrote on Twitter.
Prime Minister Sharif said on Twitter he was deeply saddened and offered condolences and prayers for the family of the deceased journalists.

A Foreign Ministry statement said that officers from the Pakistan diplomatic mission in Nairobi had reached the location and identified the body of Sharif.

“His family has been assured of all possible assistance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” it said, promising to facilitate “expeditious repatriation of mortal remains” of the journalist in coordination with Kenyan authorities.
France-based Reporters Without Borders, known by its French acronym RSF, condemned Sharif’s murder as gruesome and utterly disturbing”, calling for an International investigation.
“The killing of Arshad Sharif… is all the more baffling since he had just left his home country to Kenya in order to escape harassment and arrest.” In May, he was charged with “spreading hate against the military,” the global watchdog said in a statement.
Journalist Sharif was believed to be very close to the Pakistani security and intelligence agencies. He would often broadcast exclusive information focusing on alleged corrupt practices of top government officials, particularly those part of the coalition government of incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (not related to the deceased journalist). He also used to frequently embed Pakistani troops on counterterrorism missions.

But in recent months Sharif had become a harsh critic of the Pakistani military leadership and the government.

There were growing calls for Pakistani authorities to swiftly investigate the journalist’s killing and the circumstances that forced him to go into exile.

“A long, grim record of violent tactics to silence journalists explain why the reported murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya has sent shock waves through the journalist community,” the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan [HRCP] wrote on Twitter. “The government must pursue an immediate, transparent inquiry into the circumstances of his death.”
“Obviously, there should be a transparent investigation,” Steven Butler, the senior program consultant at the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists told VOA.

Pakistan’s populist former prime minister Imran Khan, who was ousted from power through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April this year, called for a “proper judicial investigation” into the circumstances that led to the killing of Sharif.

“Shocked at the brutal murder of Arshad Sharif who paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth — his life. He had to leave the country & be in hiding abroad but he continued to speak the truth on social media, exposing the powerful. Today the entire nation mourns his death,” the deposed prime minister wrote on Twitter.

“We have descended into a state of brutality, unknown in civilised society, indulged in by the powerful against those who dare to criticise & expose wrongdoings,” Khan said but did not elaborate.

The former prime minister was ousted from power in April this year in a parliamentary no-confidence vote collectively moved by opposition parties.

Critics often dubbed the slain journalist sympathetic to Khan, who blames without evidence Prime Minister Sharif and the military for colluding with the United States to topple his government.

Washington and Islamabad deny the charges.

Hamid Mir, a top ranking Pakistani political talk show host, took to the Twitter to question the Kenyan police version about the late Sunday incident.

“Why they never fired on the tire of the vehicle? Why they never targeted the driver? Why they shot Arshad Sharif directly in the head?,” wrote Mir, who has 7.6 million followers on the social media platform.
Pakistan’s government and the military have been lately under increasing criticism for allegedly stifling media freedom and political dissent, charges officials reject as unfounded.

Source: Voice of America

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Kenyan Police Oversight Authority Investigating Journalist’s Death

NAIROBI, KENYA — Kenya’s police oversight authority is investigating the shooting death of well-known Pakistani investigative journalist Arshad Sharif at a checkpoint on Oct. 23.
Police say the shooting of the 50-year-old journalist was a case of mistaken identity. The officers said they mistook the vehicle, driven by Sharif’s brother, for one connected to a child kidnapping in Nairobi. When the car didn’t stop at the checkpoint, they shot at the vehicle.

The Kenya Union of Journalists spoke out against the killing of Sharif. Its secretary-general, Charles Eric Oduor, said that police “should not have killed the journalist. They should have found a way of arresting him in the event that they were following this car.”
He added that the members of the union, “condemn that in the strongest terms possible. And we believe that once we get the facts, this police officer —in the next few days— should be arraigned in court and charged with murder.”
Sharif fled Pakistan in August due to death threats and a series of controversial sedition charges against him and several other journalists. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he spoke to Kenyan President William Ruto about the journalist’s death and requested that Kenyan authorities provide fairness and transparency in the investigation.
Anne Makori, chairperson for Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority, said her agency is looking into the incident and that “Our rapid response team has already been dispatched.”
Oduor said that he has doubts about the circumstances in which Sharif was killed and said “we believe we will have a current investigation other than what the police are telling us.”
In the week before Sharif was killed, Ruto disbanded a special police unit accused of abuse and the extrajudicial killings of civilians. Four officers in the unit were arrested and arraigned in court on Oct. 24 in connection with the disappearances of two Indian nationals and their Kenyan driver. However, a report released in 2020 by the IPOA said most cases involving police abuses and killings go without a successful conviction.

Source: Voice of America