ISLAMABAD: Hours after the government set up a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe Arshad Sharif’s murder, the Supreme Court rejected it and asked for the formation of a new “independent” body.
The federal government should immediately form a new investigation team. The court wants an independent team to investigate the matter,” remarked Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandyal as the Supreme Court resumed hearings on Sharif’s murder.
The Chief Justice further said that the court does not want any member to have relations with any influential person.
Earlier today, the government constituted a five-member JIT to probe Sharif’s killing after filing a first information report on the court’s order.
IG Islamabad today constituted a JIT to probe the murder of Arshad Sharif and nominated DIG Headquarters as its chairman.
Today’s Hearing
At the beginning of today’s hearing, Chief Justice Bandyal said that the court will hear the mother of the slain journalist. However, journalist Hasan Ayub came to the rostrum and informed the court that he was not present due to lack of lifts in the court.
The journalist also told the court about the attitude of the police towards the family of the slain journalist.
Chief Justice Bandyal apologized for the lift and assured the journalist that he would also review the conduct of the police.
After which Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman read out the report of the fact-finding committee regarding the murder. He further said that the report has been provided to the Sharif family.
The government counsel also told the court that the Ministry of External Affairs is cooperating as much as it can in the matter.
On this, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan inquired whether the alleged shooter was a member of the Kenyan police. While Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar questioned why interviews of three police officers were not included in the report.
AAG Rehman told the bench that the investigation team got information from the Kenyan authorities, adding that the three policemen were introduced by them. He added that the fourth policeman could not be interviewed because he was injured.
“We are trying to contact the concerned minister and cabinet secretary in Kenya. The Pakistan High Commission in Kenya is in touch with the relevant authorities,” he told the judges. He also told the court that a case has been registered. has gone
On this, Justice Ahsan once again asked the government lawyer that who were the shooters in this incident? “He was a Kenyan police officer,” the AAG said.
Meanwhile, Justice Bandyal said that the report has been provided to the court at one o’clock in the morning.
The Chief Justice remarked that the journalist was brutally murdered, asking the government to seek cooperation from the Kenyan government. He further said that some witnesses of the case are in Pakistan.
The Chief Justice then inquired whether anyone from the police department was present or whether the report writers were in the court room.
The AAG informed the Chief Justice that the IG Islamabad and the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were present in the court.
Meanwhile, Justice Syed Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi remarked that the Kenyan police officers who fired at Sharif are not mentioned in the report. He also asked why a case was not registered against the Kenyan policemen.
On this, AAG Rehman said that there is a need to examine whether cases can be registered against foreigners. He added that the report is part of the record.
“This is a very serious matter. I am warning the government to take this matter seriously. The court is not here just to listen to you,” Justice Naqvi remarked on the AAG’s reply.
The mother of the slain journalist became emotional at the court appearance.
Sharif’s mother told Chief Justice Bandyal that we request you to do justice in the case. He added that his son was forced to leave Pakistan and was not spared abroad.
Chief Justice said that we are sorry for the sad incident. He assured the mother that the investigation team would work without any pressure.
“Mrs. Alvi is the mother of two martyrs. Would Arshad Sharif’s mother like to say anything else,” the chief justice said. He assured the mother that an FIR has been registered and her statement will be recorded.
Meanwhile, Justice Jamal Khan Mandukhel remarked that a worker was killed in Canada last year, if it had been investigated, such an incident would not have happened to a Pakistani.
Justice Mandukhel remarked that it is very unfortunate that we acted after the incident and not before.
After that, the court issued instructions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cooperate with the JIT, adding that if cooperation is required from the United Nations or other international organizations, it must be taken.
After which the court adjourned the hearing of the case till tomorrow (Thursday).
