The Special Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif was denied access to evidence by Kenyan authorities, the Supreme Court was told on Monday.
A 5-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial resumed the hearing of the sua sponte notice of Sharif’s murder in Kenya.
Other members of the bench include Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandukhel and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazahar.
At the start of today’s hearing, JIT chief Owais Ahmed submitted the second progress report to the Supreme Court.
The bench also expressed its indignation and ordered an investigation against those who disclosed the fact-finding report of Sharif’s murder.
Chief Justice Bandyal inquired as to who made the fact-finding report public and whose hand is behind it.
The Chief Justice remarked that the fact-finding report was made public without any verification, was it done deliberately? He said that mistakes have been made in the investigation in Pakistan.
Justice Naqvi remarked that the court has read every single word of the report.
“Did you do what you were assigned?” Justice Naqvi questioned the JIT. He questioned whether the team had found any material related to the killings in Kenya.
To this, JIT chief Owais Ahmed replied that he met the authorities in Kenya, the East African country did not give access to the evidence.
He added that we have not found any concrete material regarding the murder of Arshad Sharif in Kenya.
Where is Arshad Sharif’s mobile and other equipment? Justice Ahsan asked the question.
On this inquiry, the JIT chief said that Sharif’s mobile phone and iPad are with Kenya’s IT department. However, the rest of his belongings have been found, he told the court without elaborating.
The Additional Attorney General said Kenya had not cooperated with the investigation into the murder.
On this, Justice Ahsan inquired that how can he ask for cooperation in the investigation if the country with which the relations are not so good.
The Chief Justice remarked that Kenya is an independent country and does not come under our jurisdiction.
The court wants to know what the JIT has found so far, the chief justice said. ‘What will be the strategy of special JIT in the future?’ he asked.
The Chief Justice further said that no one can be accused of murder yet.
After arguments, the hearing was adjourned till March.
