- Constitutional court suggests wrapping up suo motu proceedings concerning the murder soon.
- Justice Aamir Farooq expressed concern over the reportedly slow pace of the overall investigation.
- Pakistan awaits swift Kenyan cooperation under the critical Mutual Legal Assistance pact.
The Federal Constitutional Court proceedings regarding the murder of senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif are reportedly entering their final stages, with the bench indicating a possibility of disposing of the suo motu case. During the hearing, Justice Aamir Farooq commented critically on the overall investigative effort, noting that the pace of the inquiry has been considerably slow. The judge, however, made it clear that the court does not intend to assign blame but emphasized that an appropriate final order would be issued soon concerning the ongoing investigation’s future trajectory.
The court session focused heavily on the practical limits of judicial intervention, especially after international agreements are in place. Justice Farooq questioned the tangible steps the court could now mandate, considering the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) treaty established between Pakistan and Kenya. Separately, the counsel representing Arshad Sharif’s widow highlighted the family’s international efforts, stating that a Kenyan court had allegedly ruled the incident as murder not an accident and ordered an investigation. Despite this favorable ruling abroad, the counsel claimed investigative progress in Kenya remains minimal, echoing the request for stronger governmental support from Pakistan to stand alongside the bereaved family.
Addressing the court, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Aamir Rehman confirmed that the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report had already been submitted. The AAG detailed the history of international cooperation, noting initial resistance from the Kenyan government, which eventually led to the signing of the critical MLA agreement last September. The AAG assured the court that Pakistan is ready to deploy its investigative team to the crime scene immediately upon receiving a request from Kenyan authorities. Further progress will strictly depend on the evidence and cooperation extended by the Kenyan government under the MLA framework.
AAG Rehman further informed the court about the completion of the domestic investigation, confirming that a charge sheet (challan) has been filed, naming two suspects who are currently reported to be residing in Kenya. Black warrants have been issued for these individuals, and Interpol has been officially contacted to facilitate their apprehension. Notably, the court was also informed that the Prime Minister had personally contacted the President of Kenya via telephone, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment at the highest level to ensure the investigation is completed rapidly and thoroughly. The AAG also distinguished this case from the Imran Farooq murder inquiry, noting that despite both involving overseas killings, their legal and factual contexts are dissimilar.