Pakistan forms committee to investigate Arshad Sharif’s murder

A two-member committee is tasked with investigating the circumstances behind the homicide of investigative journalist Arshad Sharif.

Arshad Sharif fled the nation in August after instances have been filed in opposition to him for an interview of an opposition politician [File: AP Photo]

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has introduced the formation of an inquiry committee that may journey to Kenya to analyze the circumstances behind the homicide of investigative journalist Arshad Sharif, who was shot useless in Nairobi on Sunday night time.

The 2-member committee – consisting of senior officers from Pakistan’s federal investigating company in addition to a member from a civilian intelligence company – will submit its discovering to the Inside Ministry, in keeping with a notification issued on Wednesday.

The announcement of the investigative committee comes after calls have been made inside Pakistan in addition to by the United Nations for an intensive investigation.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, mentioned in a press briefing on Monday that the circumstances behind the homicide should be investigated “totally”.

“The outcomes of the investigation have to be shared rapidly,” he mentioned.

‘Mistaken identification’

The Kenyan police have acknowledged the 49-year-old senior journalist was shot useless in what it known as a “mistaken identification”. It has expressed its remorse over the incident that has despatched shockwaves in Pakistan.

Sharif was one of many nation’s high information anchors along with his present taking a crucial have a look at the nation’s highly effective army, which has dominated for about half of Pakistan’s existence as an impartial nation since 1947.

He fled the nation in August after instances have been filed in opposition to him for an interview with an opposition politician.

In line with Kenyan authorities, the journalist was shot whereas he was travelling in a automobile pushed by his companion Khurram Ahmed, who was injured within the taking pictures. The automobile was focused by the police when it did not cease at a checkpoint on the Nairobi-Magadi freeway.

Sharif’s stays have been introduced again to the nation within the early hours of Wednesday the place it was obtained by members of his household, former colleagues, and supporters on the Islamabad airport.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan mentioned the killing of Sharif “highlighted an ongoing concentrating on of anybody who dares to criticise or query these holding energy”.

The director common of the Pakistani army’s media wing Inter-Companies Public Relations (ISPR), Main Normal Babar Iftikhar, mentioned the army has requested the federal government to analyze the matter so that each one the speculations may be put to relaxation.

“It is vitally unlucky that folks have interaction in allegations with none proof to again them up. I feel an exhaustive investigation needs to be carried out to take care of these items,” he mentioned, referring to social media speculations linking Sharif’s homicide to the army.

Pakistan has a historical past of media suppression and violence in opposition to journalists and critics typically blame the army.