Rejecting the request to form a fact finding commission on theassassination of senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif in Kenya,Chief Justice (CJ) of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Athar Minallahon Tuesday said there was no use of forming a commission at this stage ofthe case.
“Indeed this was an unfortunate incident. I have come to the court todayonly because of Arshad’s case. We should have trust in the government. I amsure that journalists’ bodies will take up the issue before thegovernment,” he remarked during the hearing of the petition, seekingconstitution of a commission to find out reasons of the murder of thejournalist that made headlines not only in Pakistan, but also in othercountries of the world.
Underscoring the fact that the murder of a senior journalist was not anordinary incident, the CJ urged the government to look into it since it wasin a better position to probe it.
Barrister Shoaib Razzaq, the petitioner, appeared in the court.
Justice Minallah asked him whether anybody had visited late Arshad’s placeto meet with his family. “Do they need any kind of support?” he inquired.
Barrister informed him that the body of the deceased would reach Pakistanat 1:00 AM tonight.
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The petitioner further said that both concerned ministries had fullycooperated with him and Arshad’s family.
He went on to say that the government had requested the authorities in theUAE to deport the journalist to Pakistan when he went there after receivingdeath threats in the country.
The CJ then adjourned hearing of the case until next week.
