ISLAMABAD: The High Court on Tuesday turned down a request, seeking to form a fact-finding mission to investigate into the killing of prominent journalist Arshad Sharif, calling it a matter involving different countries. The court added that different journalists’ bodies should also be kept on board about the inquiry.
Chief Justice Athar Minallah took up the case for hearing during which the report on the murder of Arshad Sharif was submitted to the Additional Attorney General on behalf of the Ministry of Interior and Foreign Affairs.
Also read: Arshad Sharif’s body to arrive at Islamabad airport tonight
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At the beginning of the proceedings, Chief Justice Athar Minullah said he came today for the sole purpose of hearing this case.
The court inquired whether anyone from the government visited Arshad Sharif’s family, and did they need any support?
Barrister Shoaib Razzaq responded that the body of slain journalist Arshad Sharif would reach Pakistan later tonight, and requested to form a fact-finding commission to investigate the murder, and inquire as to why UAE government asked Arshad Sharif to leave that country.
On this occasion, the Deputy Attorney General said that this was a sad incident, and a report should come from the Kenyan government. He further said that if they had any objection, then the case should be heard further.
Chief Justice Athar Minullah said that it is a matter of different countries, and that state institutions could better resolve this matter.
It may be recalled that Barrister Shoaib Razzak had filed an petition in the Islamabad High Court yesterday, demanding to investigate the murder of senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif who left Pakistan in Nairobi, Kenya.
In the petition, it was requested that a fact-finding commission should be formed to investigate under what circumstances Arshad Sharif went out. The court ordered the security agencies to contact the Kenyan agencies to investigate.
