On January 5, the notorious Arshad Sharif murder suo moto case will be heard by Pakistan’s Supreme Court (SC).
The matter will be heard on January 5 at 1 pm by a five-member bigger bench presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, who has also given notice to the parties.
The bench also includes Justices Ijazul Ahsan, Mazahar Ali Akbar, Jamal Khan Mandukhel, and Muhammad Ali Mazahar.
A joint investigation team (JIT) has been constituted to look into the murder of the journalist in Kenya, the federal government notified the Supreme Court after the case’s final hearing on December 7.
Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written separate letters to the CJP requesting that he undertake an impartial judicial investigation into the journalist’s slaying.
After passing through a police checkpoint outside of Nairobi with his chauffeur, Arshad Sharif is said to have been assassinated by Kenyan police.
Contrary to what the Kenyan police had said, an autopsy revealed that Arshad Sharif was shot at a far closer range.
The murder of the journalist had been brought to the CJP’s attention last month. The chief justice underlined that the apex court desired an unbiased and truthful probe. He hoped that the investigation will advance in various ways.
The bench noted that if the JIT encountered any administrative issues, it might contact the CJP’s office for assistance.
Rana Sanaullah, the interior minister, added that journalist Arshad Sharif was slain in a “targeted attack” and refuted the claim that he had been mistaken for someone else and shot to death.
The court was informed by Additional Attorney General (AAG) Amir Rehman that the government will fully support the JIT.
However, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar emphasised that the JIT was not given a deadline for doing the work.
The hearing was then postponed until the first week of January by the supreme court.
