ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Thursday disclosed to the Supreme Court the names of the members of the new Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to investigate the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif.
The government proposed new names for the team after the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the JIT earlier formed by the Islamabad police and ordered that an “independent” team be formed to investigate the case.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandyal is heading the five-member bench hearing the suo motu case related to the brutal killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya on October 23.
Kenyan authorities claimed the journalist was killed in a case of mistaken identity after the African country’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched an investigation, the results of which have yet to be released. gone.
Sharif fled Pakistan citing threats to his life after multiple treason cases were registered against him.
The Supreme Court, taking notice of itself, sought a reply from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Interior.
At the start of today’s hearing, the federal government told the court that a new JIT has been constituted, comprising DIG Islamabad Owais Ahmed, Director Cybercrime FIA Waqaruddin Syed, Sajid Kayani from the Intelligence Bureau, Military Intelligence. Murtaza Afzal from Gender and Muhammad Aslam from Inter Services. intelligence.
We have received a reply from the Foreign Office. According to the Home Ministry, the Cabinet has asked the Foreign Minister to contact his Kenyan counterpart,” Chief Justice Bandial said, adding that “the court does not want to get involved in administrative matters before the investigation”.
On this, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Chaudhry Ameer Rehman told the bench that they are starting the investigation into the murder immediately and the JIT will first record the statement of the mother of the slain journalist.
“The JIT will investigate all the relevant persons in Pakistan and then initiate the investigation in Kenya,” the AAG added.
The Chief Justice said that the court only wants an impartial and transparent investigation. The JIT can approach the Supreme Court if it faces any hurdle in its investigation.
Another member of the bench, Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi, inquired whether the persons named in the FIR would surrender.
On this, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan said that those mentioned in the FIR can be brought back only through Interpol. “Once the JIT is in motion, it can approach the agency.”
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired that how much time will be taken in the investigation?
To this, the AAG responded that the duration of the investigation depends on the level of assistance provided by the Kenyan authorities.
The Chief Justice then directed the JIT to submit a progress report in fifteen weeks.
The Supreme Court said that a panel has been constituted in the light of the FIR and the office of SSP Operation Islamabad will provide assistance to the JIT.
“The investigation team will try their best to complete the work at the earliest,” the AAG said.
Justice Mazahir Naqvi said that it is also possible that the accused appear themselves and if they do not appear, legal action can be taken against them.
AAG Aamir Rehman said that the real issue is the role of the Kenyan police and the investigation conducted by them.
The Supreme Court said that the JIT would exercise the option of mutual legal cooperation between the two countries and adjourned the hearing of the case to the first week of January.
The apex court directed the JIT to submit reports from time to time and said to inform the court in writing if there is any problem.
The Supreme Court said that the JIT will present the progress reports to the judges in chambers.
