Hidden aspects of Arshad’s private life

Arshad Sharif was a fearless and intrepid journalist, who spent his whole life searching for news, but his private life never came before the public.

He was a private person and did not believe in fame over his personal life. We didn’t put too much personal stuff on our Instagram or YouTube because they always got threats for their investigative journalism, so we kept our professional and personal lives separate.

We both took hundreds of photos, recorded many videos but uploaded very few. Both were in journalism but their fields were different. He would give me my editorial freedom and I never interfered with his work.

Although I created all their social media accounts. I created their Facebook page in 2012 and YouTube in 2017. He created Twitter and Instagram himself and I gave him the blue tick.

I also ran the account of their program ‘Power Play’. Still, I did not interfere in their journalistic affairs. He used to use his Twitter verified account himself.

I used to say to them, ‘How does it feel to be famous?’ So he would smile and say: ‘I am an ordinary person.’ He was a very humble and humble person. I used to say that I was invited by the morning show, so I used to smile and say, ‘How strange it will be if we start getting married again by making the bride and groom.’

I used to say, ‘It doesn’t happen in all shows,’ then I would say: ‘Well, go alone to the Eid show or the New Year show.’ I only like investigative journalism.’

I myself was not participating in TV shows for a long time. If there was no time due to the columns, they would also have been abstracted. He was very secretive in his private life. I used to know by a hint of his eye or by saying “Hmm” which thing is his yes and which is his no.

He was a very disciplined person. Punctual and used to getting up early in the morning. He was very royal and treated me very royally. Therefore, I say that the man who gives you the status of queen, you should also respect him like a king.

Arshad has no second in hosting

Arshad was very expensive. He was happy to spend on others and was not averse to hospitality. Anyone who came to the house would go to the gate to pick up and drop off and never discriminated between the poor and the rich. I would open the door myself for my guests and I would insist that there should be five to six dishes on the table. Sweets, fruits, saffron coffee and dry fruits must be kept after meals.

He loved soup, lentils, mutton steak, fish, pies and pomegranates. He also liked tea and coffee very much. He often put food on the plates of the guests himself and was especially kind to the children of the guests.

I always buy gifts at home in advance so that no one goes empty handed. Arshad was also fond of taking his friends and circle of friends out for lunch. Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was his favorite place where he would take his colleagues, family and friends. Every week, he would make a commitment to lose weight, but eating out with friends would not allow him to fulfill his commitment.

Arshad and Kitab Bini

Arshad was very fond of studies. Before going to bed at night, he must read books. His only expenditure for himself was to buy books. Mr Bucks, Oxford and Saeed used to make regular purchases from Buck Bank.

Among the books he bought, many books were very valuable and expensive, for example, one of his books cost 22,000. He loved books to such an extent. He would tell me: ‘Jiya, keep my books in plastic covers, don’t let dust fall on my books.’

He would write his name on each book and highlight it with a yellow highlighter while reading. Sometimes they would call from the office and say that such and such page of the book should be WhatsApped. His memory was amazing. Books were everywhere in their laptop bag, office, car, home, bedroom, library. His favorite subjects were defence, international relations, war and peace. He used to order books from Amazon and was thrilled when his courier delivered them.

Arshad as a photographer

Arshad was very worthy. He always topped in his academic career. His hobby was photography. We also became friends in 2009 because we both had DSLRs. He was inspired by my photography as a girl.

At that time it was not so common for girls to have professional gear or do photography. He appreciated that I do photography along with journalism.

We started doing photography together. Both of us did not have enough time for regular photography, but whenever we got time from reporting, we both did nature photography.

We built each other’s portfolios. Take pictures of your family and friends too, we would email them all and get them printed. Arshad was very fond of printing and framing photographs. He gave me a gift of printing 5000 of my photos.

Both of us also have a large archive of Pakistan media. Arshad mastered portraiture in photography. Along with this, they also capture birds and natural scenes very beautifully.

Arshad and his pets

Arshad loved animals, especially dogs and cats. They had three German Shepherds, two Rottweilers and a Labret.

He used to walk his animals himself whenever he had time, feed them himself, even bathe them all himself on holidays. Often take their animals for a walk in the car.

My cat Spico was also very fond of them. When Arshad was studying, Sapko would sit with him and stay with him as long as he was at home.

I am very sensitive about cleanliness. For the dogs, I made a room in the porch so that they could stay there comfortably and not come into the house, but as soon as Arshad saw that I was busy, he would bring all the dogs into the house and to my amazement, they all Called to the bed and in the room. Then she would be very happy to see my surprised expression that now she will be cleaning the room all day.

Our animals are always very clean. We care a lot about their health and cleanliness, but I thought that dogs would stay outside the house and cats inside the house, but they would let their dogs walk everywhere in the car, house, swing.

Along with this, he used to be very kind to the animals in the streets and markets and the animals would get familiar with him immediately. I would especially instruct the pets to get their injections on time and their food properly and not to get hot or cold.

Arshad’s clothes, his books, his photos, his pets are all here, just gone. I think this is a bad dream, soon my eyes will open and everything will be like before.

He protected me from many dangers. In their presence, I felt safe. Now it seems that I am alone, helpless. My canopy was taken away from me. They went to heaven and left me in hell.