ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) declaring medical report of slain senior journalist Arshid Sharif unsatisfactory has ordered government to register case till today (Tuesday) night.

Order was issued by five members larger bench of SC presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial during hearing of suo moto notice pertaining to Arshid Sharif murder case here.

During hearing of case foreign secretary Asad Majid DG FIA Mohsin Butt, information secretary Shahira Shahid, DG IB, Interior Secretary and President PFUJ also reached court.  At inception of hearing Additional Attorney General (AAG) said when report came, Interior Minister was in Faisalabad. Report will be provided to SC after it is seen by Interior Minister.  CJP remarked has Interior Minister to change report. We call Interior Minister just now. Investigating matter is job of government and not of court.

Government of Pakistan has access to Kenya.  CJP remarked all have right of access to report. Journalist has been murdered. It should come to open who has murdered him.  CJP addressing Attorney General remarked much time has passed after return of fact finding committee. Human Rights cells is working on letter of mother of Arshad Sharif. Why final report of government commission has not been received in SC so far. What is this happening. Why report is not coming. Court ordered to submit report of Arshad Sharif murder case today.

CJP remarked as to why report has not been provided to us so far. Have you to make some change in it. Additional Attorney General said report will be submitted till today in SC.

CJP remarked it should be submitted today so that its hearing could take place. We are waiting for report since 43 days.

He report Arshad Sharif medical report is unsatisfactory. We are taking matter seriously. Five-member bench has been constituted taking into view gravity of situation. No maltreatment with journalist will be tolerated at any cost. If someone gives wrong news then enact legislation in this regard.  Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked is it correct that murder case has neither been registered in Kenya nor in Pakistan. CJP remarked according to their information no case has been registered.

 Foreign secretary said we don’t know about Pakistan but we will inform court after obtaining information from Kenya.  Court sought reply from foreign office regarding investigation and registration of case in Kenya.  CJP remarked as to why Arshad Sharif murder case has not been registered.

Interior Secretary said decision to register case will be made after reviewing fact finding report. Justice Mazahir Naqvi remarked is it legal way to register case.  Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked can investigation be conducted without registration of case.  CJP remarked journalists are voice of truth. This is matter of human life. Arshad Sharif was prominent journalist. Journalists are source of information. There are several apprehensions among people about murder. All facts about murder of Arshad Sharif will have to be brought to fore. Justice Ejaz ul Ahsan remarked will Kenya share its report. He further remarked role of foreign ministry is more important than all in matter.  Court while ordering concerned authorities to register case till tonight directed them to file inquiry report today. Hearing of case was adjourned till today (Wednesday).

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 07 2022

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