Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that a judicial commission would be formed to probe killing of journalist Arshad Sharif, reportedly at hands of Kenyan police two days ago.

In a video message from Saudi Arabia today, he said that commission would be responsible for determining facts of “tragic incident in a transparent and conclusive manner”.

Earlier, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had said that head of commission would also be able to appoint members from civil society and media fraternity in order to ascertain facts. Sharif was shot dead in Kenya allegedly by local police on Sunday night, with an official police statement later expressing “regrets on unfortunate incident” and saying an investigation was underway. Initially, Kenyan media quoted local police as saying Sharif was shot dead by police in a case of “mistaken identity”. Amid widespread condemnation and condolences pouring in from various quarters, a petition was filed with IHC yesterday, seeking court to order formation of a judicial commission to investigate why journalist was forced to flee Pakistan and later United Arab Emirates. Court admitted plea same day.

Separately, Islamabad High Court directed government to keep journalist bodies on board while it investigates. During hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said he made it to court for this particular case.

“Did anyone visit aggrieved family? Do they need any [legal] assistance,” Justice Minallah asked while reminding government of court’s previous orders wherein directions were issued to government officials to visit heirs of slain journalist.

Petitioner Shoaib Razzaq said body of slain journalist would reach home today. He reiterated his request to court that a judicial commission must be formed to probe death of Sharif. Justice Minallah remarked that journalists’ organisations should be kept on board with inquiry and formation of commission at this stage would not serve any purpose.

Deputy Attorney General Syed Ahsan Raza Shah said incident was indeed unfortunate, adding a report from Kenyan government was awaited. “Once report from Kenyan government is received and if petitioner raises any objections to it, we will listen to his concerns,” he told court. After hearing arguments, court adjourned hearing for a week.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 26 2022

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