Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial seeking an inquiry into the death of senior journalist Arshad Sharif.
In the letter, it has been requested to form a judicial commission to find the facts of Arshad Sharif’s death. It has been said that a commission should be formed consisting of all available judges of the Supreme Court.
According to the text of the letter, the commission could specifically consider five questions.
1. Who facilitated Arshad Sharif’s departure abroad?
2. Was any federal or provincial agency aware of any threat to Arshad Sharif’s life?
3. If there was a threat to Arshad Sharif’s life what steps were taken to prevent that?
4. What were the circumstances and reasons under which Arshad Sharif had gone to Kenya from United Arab Emirates (UAE)?
5. What is the real truth of the firing incidents in which Arshad Sharif died?
6. Is Arshad Sharif’s death really a case of mistaken identity or is it the result of a criminal game?
The letter further stated that the formation of a commission was necessary for the rule of law in the country. it has been reiterated that the federal government will provide full cooperation to the commission.
The letter has also stated that Arshad Sharif’s mother had requested you [CJP] and we [government] fully support the request. It further stated that doubts have been expressed about the federal government and state institutions on the death of journalists and it was necessary to form a Commission of the Supreme Court to restore public confidence.
