Islamabad: Government excluded Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) official from a team formed to investigate killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, cutting team’s size from three to two and leaving only Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) representatives on it.

Interior Minister formed what was a three-member team comprising FIA director Athar Wahid, IB deputy director general Omar Shahid Hamid and Lt Col Saad Ahmed of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to probe murder. However, Ministry of Interior’s notification issued only mentioned IB and FIA officials. It did not offer an explanation for ISI official’s exclusion.

“Team will travel to Kenya immediately,” notification said, adding Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya will facilitate visit of committee members.

“My Arshad is back, but in a coffin,” his wife Javeria Siddique said on Twitter. She also shared a video showing coffin. Senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also tweeted about chaotic situation at Islamabad Airport. “Authorities looked afraid as if Arshad will come back to life again. Ambulance carrying coffin was being moved frequently from one place to another to prevent gathering of people fear was visible,” he said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 27 2022

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