ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on petitions seeking the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the murder of senior journalist Arshad Sharif.
Justice Inam Amin Minhas heard the petitions filed by journalist Hamid Mir and Arshad Sharif’s widow, Javeria Siddique. During the hearing, Hamid Mir’s counsel, Barrister Shoaib Razzaq, presented detailed arguments.
Razzaq told the court that a decision on their request to form a judicial commission was reserved as far back as August 27 last year, but no substantial progress has been made since.
He questioned the circumstances under which multiple FIRs were registered against Arshad Sharif, he was forced to leave Pakistan and killed in Kenya.
He argued that the public deserved to know the truth, and only an independent judicial commission can uncover it. The petitioners also requested that the commission be authorized to travel to Kenya for further investigation.
Razzaq reminded the court that when Hamid Mir was attacked in the past, the Supreme Court had constituted a commission. “Arshad Sharif gave 25 years to journalism—his case deserves transparent and open discussion,” he added.
During the hearing, Justice Inam Minhas remarked that when a matter is already pending before the Supreme Court, the high court must tread carefully.
In response, the counsel argued that even so, a commission is ultimately responsible for the investigation, adding that court can take a decision when reports are submitted by different institutions.
DIG Awais Ahmed informed the court that Pakistan is in the process of mutual legal assistance with Kenya, and that an FIR has already been registered. He explained that the case challan has been submitted while two suspects have been declared absconders.
Razzaq pointed out that despite the passage of three years, the case remains unresolved, and action has been limited to filing reports.
The court reserved its decision after both sides concluded their arguments.