An inquiry commission into the death of journalist Arshad Sharif has approved by the federal cabinet at the request of the Ministry of Defence.
Under the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act, 2017, an investigation commission headed by Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha and comprising More Inspector General Usman Anwar and IB Deputy Director General Omar Shahid Hamid establish.
A “highest-level inquiry” was proposed by the Ministry of Defence to “ascertain the facts” of Sharif’s death in collusion with the government of Kenya.
There have been virulent speculations, unnecessary rumor-mongering, and smear campaigns against the armed forces following this incident.
Formation of inquiry commission
As part of the inquiry, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed that a inquiry commission be formed. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will provide “secretarial support” to the report within 30 days of its submission to the government.
In response to the military’s request, the government is conducting a “high level investigation” into the “accidental” killing of journalist Arshad Sharif.
A high-level investigation has requested by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar “to put an end to all speculation.”
An investigation team was also form earlier by the government into the killing. In the beginning, a three-member committee was form, composed of FIA director Athar Wahid, IB chief Omar Shahid Hamid and Lt Col Saad Ahmed from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). After the ISI official exclude from the team, the size reduce to two from three.
During its current visit to Kenya, the team met Khurram Ahmed, who at the time of the murder was driving the vehicle carrying the slain journalist and his brother Waqar Ahmed. There was no confirmation that the committee had questioned them from either the IB or the FIA.
In the wake of the killing
An official police statement expressed “regrets” for the unfortunate incident and said an investigation underway after Sharif kill in Kenya on October 23.
Sharif was initially reportedd by Kenyan media as having shot by police as a result of a “mistaken identity incident”.
A Kenyan media report later reconstructed the events surrounding Sharif’s death, stating that an occupant in his car at the time of his death shot at paramilitary officers of the GSU.
A report by Nation Media Group stated that GSU officers stopped them after receiving reports of a stolen vehicle in the area.
Sharif and his brother alleg to have police orders at a checkpoint, but later alleged Sharif’s brother “shot at” one officer, who injured. In the article, police are quote as saying they respond by shooting back at the suspects.
A body brought into Pakistan last week after Sharif’s death. A post-mortem at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences led to the burial at Islamabad’s H-9 graveyard.
