CJP Bandial asks to probe reasons behind Arshad Sharif’s move to leave Pakistan
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday ordered to probe the reasons and circumstances behind slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s move to leave the country.
A five-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, heard the suo motu case regarding the killing of the Pakistani journalist in Kenya last year.
During the hearing, CJP remarked that Arhsad Sharif’s killing was a planned and brutal murder and the reasons for his departure from Pakistan should be investigated.
At the outset of the hearing, CJP inquired about the progress in the high-profile murder case. At this, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Amir Rehman replied that the report has been submitted to the court and the Special JIT has recorded the statements of 14 people in the case.
The investigation comprises three major phases, i.e, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kenya, he added.
“The JIT has to go to Kenya for investigations, but due to the Christmas holidays, it couldn’t do it before January 15,” AAG said. He added that the JIT will first go to the UAE and then Kenya on January 15.
“Since there are three phases of the probe, have the investigations of phase I been completed?” Justice Aijazul Ahsan asked. At this, AAG responded that most of the investigation has been completed.
During the hearing, the widow of slain journalist Arshad Sharif, Javeria Siddique, expressed distrust to the special JIT formed on the orders of the Supreme Court (SC) to probe the high-profile murder case.
“The JIT members are the officials working under the accused [authorities]. Retired army officials such as AD Khawaja and General (retd) Tariq Khan should be included in the JIT,” Siddique requested the apex court.
However, the SC set aside the reservations expressed by the family, saying that only serving officials will be a part of the JIT.
The court further inquired about the inclusion of United Nations (UN) in the investigation. At this AAG maintained that the option is available if required.
Later, the court adjourned further hearing of the case till the first week of February.
Background:
Sharif was killed on the night of October 23 in Kenya by the Kenyan GSU officers in mysterious circumstances as he was being driven to Nairobi.
The Kenyan police contradicted its statement by first saying that Sharif was killed in a case of mistaken identity, but later it alleged that shots were fired at the police from inside Sharif’s car and he was killed when the response unit fired back.
