PM Shehbaz hails SC notice of Arshad Sharif's murder

The premier also assured Centre's full cooperation to the apex court.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday welcomed Supreme Court of Pakistan’s suo motu notice of journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing in Kenya.

Taking to Twitter, PM Shehbaz said he had already written a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial for setting up a judicial commission to probe the murder.

The premier also assured Centre’s full cooperation to the apex court.

Earlier in the day, the court directed the federal government to register FIR of journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing.

A larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, conducted hearing on the suo moto.

During the hearing, the chief justice asked that why report of the fact finding committee has not been provided to the court as yet.

On this, the additional attorney general informed the court that Interior Minister was in Faisalabad when the report was received. “The report will be handed over to the SC once Sanaullah peruses it,” he said.

“Does the interior minister have to make changes to the report?” the CJP asked, adding that the court could also summon Rana Sanaullah.

“A journalist was killed. It should be revealed who was behind the killing,” the CJP remarked. The additional attorney general responded by saying the report would be submitted by tomorrow. However, the CJP told him to submit it today so the hearing could continue tomorrow.

CJP Bandial also termed Sharif’s medical report unsatisfactory.