ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday scheduled a hearing on May 9th for the suo motu case of senior journalist Arshad Sharif’s assassination. The five-member larger bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial will preside over the hearing next week, which aims to ensure a transparent and independent investigation into the journalist’s murder.
Arshad Sharif, a seasoned journalist and former ARY News anchor, was killed in Nairobi, Kenya, on October 23, 2022, where he was living in self-exile. Initially, Kenyan police claimed that Sharif was killed in a case of “mistaken identity.” However, since his post-mortem and transfer of his body to Pakistan, several Kenyan news outlets have questioned the police’s conduct and raised doubts about the manner in which he was killed.
The Supreme Court had initiated suo motu proceedings to investigate the case and ensure that justice is served. In the previous hearing, the court hinted at forming a judicial commission to investigate the matter further. However, Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, the counsel for Arshad Sharif’s family, raised objections to the court proceedings, stating that the Supreme Court can monitor and investigate cases related to basic rights but cannot monitor the investigation of Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
The court responded by stating that the Attorney General informed the court about the bilateral cooperation from the Kenyan side, but they did not respond on legal cooperation with Pakistani officials. This lack of cooperation from the Kenyan authorities has made it difficult for the Pakistani officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.
The assassination of Arshad Sharif is a severe blow to the freedom of the press and raises serious concerns about the safety of journalists worldwide. It is essential to conduct a transparent and independent investigation into his murder to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
The Supreme Court’s decision to hold a hearing on the case is a step in the right direction. It shows the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the basic rights of citizens. It also sends a clear message to the international community that Pakistan takes the safety of journalists seriously and will not tolerate any violation of their rights.
Read more: Senate passes ‘Supreme Court Review of Judgments and Orders Bill 2023’ amid ruckus
The assassination of Arshad Sharif is a tragic incident that has shaken the journalism community worldwide. It is crucial to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for his murder are brought to justice. The Supreme Court’s decision to hold a hearing on the case is a positive step towards achieving this goal, and we hope that the investigation will be conducted transparently and impartially.
