Arshad Sharif's murder case: IHC reserves decision on plea to establish judicial commission

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has reserved its decision on the request to establish a judicial commission to investigate the murder of senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif.

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamir Farooq heard the plea of senior journalist Hamid Mir to form a judicial commission to investigate the Arshad Sharif murder case.Attorney General Mansoor Usman told the court that there was an agreement to be reached with the Kenyan government.

Some access was granted by the Kenyan government after which a fact-finding report was prepared, but when that report became public, the Kenyan government expressed displeasure and denied the access.The AG said that after the general elections were held in Kenya, the report was completed.

The cabinet has approved the draft agreement with the government of Kenya, which will now be sent to Nairobi. Two Pakistanis were investigated in the case of Arshad Sharif.

The IHC chief justice inquired that this request is related to the establishment of the judicial commission, adding that whether there is any agreement or not, what is Pakistan's position on it? What is the procedure of JIT?

The AG said that the matter is being looked into by the apex court, and the JIT submits its report in the Supreme Court chamber.

A five-member bench of the Supreme Court has been constituted on the matter and the case will be heard after the summer vacation.

The IHC chief justice inquired that if a judicial commission is formed in Pakistan, would it be able to conduct an investigation in Kenya? Kenyan authorities are not bound to appear before the commission.

The AG replied that this would not happen, however, there would be difficulties even after the agreement with Kenya.After the arguments were completed, the court reserved its decision on the request to establish a judicial commission.