SC orders JIT to present report on Arshad Sharif’s killing in two weeks

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the newly formed Joint Investigation Team to immediately start its probe into the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif and present its progress report within two weeks, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The Supreme Court said that the JIT would devise its method of the investigation itself. Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial directed that the probe team should investigate the murder of Arshad Sharif without taking any pressure from any quarter. If the JIT confronts some problem, it must immediately file a plea, the CJP said. 

A five-judge larger SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the case.

At the outset of the hearing, Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman submitted the notification of a new special Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed by the government to the apex court. 

The AAG told the court that the new JIT was comprised of five officers of BS-20 including Awais Ahmad (Islamabad Police DIG Headquarters), Sajid Kiyani (Intelligence Bureau DIG), Waqarud Din (FIA), Muhammad Aslam (ISI), and Murtaza Afzaal (Military Intelligence). 

According to the notification, the SSP Investigation would assist the JIT in the collection of evidence. Islamabad police Inspector Mian Muhammad Shahbaz would also work with the SSP investigation. The secretariat of the JIT would be established at Police Headquarters. The JIT would be provided staff as per its requirement and the assistance would be sought from the foreign ministry in the issuance of visas for the probe team.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the government to form a new Joint Investigation Team comprising intelligence officials to probe the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder. The court rejected the JIT earlier formed by the Islamabad police. CJP Bandial ordered the federal government to immediately form a new independent investigation team whose members should not have any connections with any influential person.

During today’s hearing, the AAG told the court that Interpol has been contacted for the arrest of the accused. 

He said that the JIT would record the statements of slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s mother and others. 

CJP Bandial remarked that the foreign ministry has given good suggestions in its report as it has shown the path to the JIT as how to conduct the investigation. 

Replying to a question asked by Justice Ali Mazhar, the AAG said that the JIT would try to complete its work as soon as possible. However, the investigation would be at the mercy of Kenyan police. 

Justice Mazahir Naqvi remarked that there was possibility that the accused would agree to appear by themselves. But if they chose otherwise, then the legal course could be adopted, the judge added.  

On this, the chief justice of Pakistan ordered the JIT to start its probe immediately and present its report within two weeks. He said if the JIT was confronted with any kind of problem, it could inform the court. If it wanted funds, it could tell the court and the SC would ask the government to provide funds, the CJP said while reiterating that the investigation should be independent. 

The court directed the Islamabad SSP and his team to assist the JIT. It asked the JIT to present its interim progress reports at judges’ chambers. However, it said the hearing of the case would also be held in the open court. 

With this, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till the first week of January. 

Foreign Ministry submits its reply to SC 

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted its reply to the Supreme Court in the suo motu case hearing of Arshad Sharif’s murder in Kenyal.

The reply was submitted by the foreign secretary. The court has been apprised that the foreign ministry is in contact with the Kenyan and Dubai authorities in order to get the probe information and evidence. It is also in constant contact with Pakistani mission in Kenya. 

The foreign ministry informed that the prime minster has also contacted the Kenyan president in this regard.

The ministry expressed its hope that the mystery of Arshad Sharif’s murder would soon be resolved. 

In its reply, the ministry has informed that it is constantly receiving updates on the murder investigations from the Kenyan authorities and the Kenyan ambassador has assured Pakistan to inform it as soon as the probe is completed. 

The Supreme Court has been told that a special delegation is being sent to Kenya and efforts are afoot to establish contacts between the foreign ministers of two countries.

Reporter Amanat Gishkori and Farzana Siddique