Shehbaz requests CJP to form judicial commission to probe Arshad’s death

ISLAMABAD, Nov 08 (NNI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday requested Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to form a judicial commission to investigate the assassination of senior journalist and anchor Arshad Sharif. Shehbaz Sharif wrote that the Chief Justice of Pakistan should form a commission comprising all available judges of the apex court to find out the facts of the death of the slain journalist. The premier wrote in the letter that the Commission may consider five questions in particular while investigating the issue.
“What procedure did Arshad Sharif adopt to go abroad in August 202 and who facilitated him in his departure abroad,” the PM stated in the letter.
He further wrote that it should be focused during the investigation whether any federal or provincial agency, institution or administration was aware of any threat to Arshad Sharif’s life or not. “If Arshad Sharif’s life was threatened or in danger, what measures were taken to protect him, and what were the circumstances and reasons that led Arshad Sharif to go to Kenya from the United Arab Emirates?
Shehbaz Sharif further requested that the commission should note the real cause of the shooting incidents in which Arshad died. “Is Arshad’s death really a case of mistaken identity or is it the result of a criminal game, the letter stated, adding that those should be investigated whom he contacted before leaving the country.
The federal government will provide full support to the commission in fulfilling this responsibility
It is also informed to CJP in the letter that a committee consisting of experienced officers was immediately sent to Kenya after the tragic incident of Sharif’s death.
It is also told that the federal government had formed a committee consisting of a retired judge of the Lahore High Court, but the family of Arshad’s declined to accept, Prime Minister said.
Arshad Sharif’s mother has requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan to form a judicial commission and the government also supports her demand, the letter says.
The letter stated that there were doubts expressed about the federal government and state institutions after the death of Arshad Sharif and the apex should react to restore public confidence. If an impartial body does not investigate, there is a risk of damage on a long-term basis, he said. NNI