ISLAMABAD, Dec 6 (FD):The Supreme Court on Tuesday, while taking suo notice of the “brutal killing” of journalist Arshad Sharif, directed the government to register a first information report (FIR) by tonight.
A larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, heard the case.
“The FIR should be registered by tonight,” CJP Bandial remarked as the court directed the authorities concerned to submit a copy to the court by tomorrow (Wednesday).
The court also sought the inquiry report of the committee formed by the government to probe the killing, adjourning the hearing till tomorrow.
“The journalist community in the country and the public at large are deeply distressed and concerned about the death of the senior journalist and are seeking the court’s scrutiny of the matter,” said the apex court in a statement announcing the suo motu action.
Notices have been issued to the interior secretary, foreign affairs secretary, information and broadcasting secretary, director general (DG) Federal Investigation Agency, DG Intelligence Bureau and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).
Headed by CJ Bandial, a five-member bench will preside over the proceedings.
According to a press release issued by the apex court, the bench is set to hear the matter today (Tuesday) at 12:30pm.
PTI has constantly asking the Supreme Court to look into Sharif’s death.
WhilePM Shehbaz has also written to the CJP for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate Sharif’s killing. A demand also made by the slain journalist’s mother.
