Senior Journalist Arshad Sharif. Photo: Twitter
ISLAMABAD:
The Federal Constitutional Court on Wednesday requested an updated progress report by December 17 on the investigation into the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif and asked lawyers for all parties to assist the court on the issue of its suo motu jurisdiction.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case.
The court ordered that the next report must include details of legal progress so far, as well as proposals for future investigations, which will be discussed after the court’s winter recess.
Judge Aamer Farooq questioned why there had been little progress in the three years since the murder and what concrete steps had been taken to bring those responsible to justice.
During the hearing, Sharif’s widow’s lawyer argued that legal precedents allow the constitutional court to continue suo motu proceedings. He also requested access to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report.
However, Additional Solicitor General Amir Rehman said such access could be granted only after presentation of the final challan.
He informed the court that Pakistan had finalized a mutual legal assistance agreement with Kenya and formally requested permission to visit the crime scene. He added that Pakistan should consider its diplomatic relations with Kenya, which supports Pakistan in various international forums.
