The Supreme Court ordered the government to form a new joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya.
The supreme court issued the orders while hearing Sharif’s homicide case. The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) ordered the JIT should comprise ISI, IB, FIA, and police personnel.
The SC said the case’s FIR was brief because there was no investigation and no eyewitnesses.
The court ordered the government to announce the JIT members by tomorrow and to undertake the investigation with senior authorities.
The court ordered JIT members should be experts in understanding the case and acquiring foreign evidence. The JIT also requested help from the foreign affairs ministry.
“The court has not constituted a judicial commission as it is a criminal case,” CJP Bandial said during the hearing, adding that the probe should begin with Khurram and Waqar, Sharif’s Kenyan contacts.
The committee’s report was submitted before today’s hearing. FIA Director Muhammad Athar Waheed and IB Deputy Director General Omar Shahid Hamid signed the 592-page report.
CJP Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Jamal Mandokhel, Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar preside.
Sharif’s mother, Riffat Ara Alvi, his widow, the FIA director general, the communication secretary, and the Islamabad police chief attended the hearing.
Interior Ministry presented the fact-finding report at the hearing’s start. In addition, the journalist’s first information report (FIR) was also presented.
AAG Aamir Rehman stated the investigative team had Kenyan information. He added that the team met three of the officers who fired at Sharif, but the fourth was injured and couldn’t be met.
The AAG stated the government was trying to meet with the minister and cabinet secretary. He added the Kenyan high commission is in contact with authorities.
Justice Ahsan then enquired about the shooters. The AAG said they were Kenyan police.
Justice Mazhar noted that the court reporter did not include what officials told the Pakistani team.
CJP: “The court received the report at 1 am.” He said the real proof was in Kenya and that Kenyan officials should be contacted.
Justice Naqvi criticized the report for not naming the Kenyan police officers who shot Sharif. He wondered why the officials who shot Sharif weren’t charged.
The AAG advised the court that foreigners might be charged. Rehman said the inquiry report would be filed with the case.
“This is serious.” Justice Naqvi warned the government to take it seriously.
Sharif’s mother said she didn’t want another mother to experience what she had. She praised the CJP for investigating her son’s death.
The CJP stated the case took a month. “No thanks. Added: “The court is doing its job.”
Sharif’s mother said the fact-finding report documented how her son was forced to leave Pakistan and Dubai. Her kid received death threats, she said. She wanted justice for her son.
The CJP demanded a full investigation of her claims. The court told officials to record Sharif’s mother’s statement.
Justice Mandokhel mentioned a Canadian activist’s death during the hearing. “If that case had been investigated, maybe such a thing wouldn’t have happened,” he said.
Justice Mandokhel lamented that we only act after an occurrence.
The case hearing was adjourned until tomorrow (Thursday).
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