Canada Global (Web News) After the establishment of a joint investigation team to investigate the murder of Arshad Sharif by the government, the Supreme Court has rejected it and issued an order to form a new JIT.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandyal remarked that the federal government should immediately form a new investigation team. The court wants an independent team to investigate the matter
The Chief Justice further said that the court does not want any member to have relations with any influential person.
Earlier, the government constituted a five-member JIT to probe the murder of Arshad Sharif after the first information report was filed on the court’s order.
IG Islamabad constituted a JIT to investigate Arshad Sharif’s murder and nominated DIG Headquarters as its chairman.
At the beginning of the hearing, Chief Justice Bandyal said that the court will hear the case of 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 Arshad Sharif family.
The government counsel 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 Kenya received information from the authorities, he added that these three policemen were introduced by him. He added that the fourth policeman could not be interviewed because he was injured.
But Justice Ahsan once again asked the government lawyer that who was the shooter in this incident? He was a Kenyan police officer.
The Chief Justice remarked that the journalist was brutally killed, 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.
Meanwhile, Justice Syed Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi remarked that the Kenyan police officers who fired at Arshad 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 a case can be registered against foreigners.
Justice Naqvi remarked on AAG’s reply that this is a very serious matter. I am warning the government to take this matter seriously.
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 will work without any pressure.
