Parveen Rehman murder: SC orders probe into delay in forming new JIT

Justice Khosa says lack of action on part of ministry is causing awkwardness

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has directed the interior secretary to initiate an inquiry into the delay in the constitution of a new Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the murder of Orangi Pilot Project director Parveen Rehman

The three-judge bench led by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed in its three-page order said that it was lack of action on part of the concerned ministry which was causing awkwardness in the case.

During the hearing on January 8, the deputy secretary of the ministry of interior appeared before the bench and stated that “preparations” had been completed for moving the summary before the cabinet. The application in this regard was filed on November 11 last year.

The apex court lamented despite the passage of two months, it was now being informed that “preparations” for presenting the summary to the cabinet had been made.

The Supreme Court directed the interior secretary to initiate an inquiry into the delay in the constitution of a new Joint Investigation Team (JIT), fix responsibility and proceed against those responsible.

“Further action in this regard if required would be taken by this court”, said the order. The bench asked the interior secretary to submit the report on January 22.

Additional Attorney General Tariq Khokhar appeared on the court’s notice to assist in this matter.

Counsel for petitioner Raheel Kamran Sheikh as well as Additional Prosecutor General Sindh Saleem Akhtar Buriro told the bench that an application had been filed before the trial court for summoning the members of the previous JIT.

The counsel stated though they intended to challenge the trial court order before the Sindh High Court but it was expected that the proceedings may be completed and the trial court would announce the judgment.

Counsel for petitioner Raheel Kamran Sheikh informed the court that in the last five years no concrete progress had been made in the case.

He said that he had filed an application for constituting a new JIT including the federal intelligence agencies. However, the government is yet to constitute the team.

Parveen Rehman, a social worker who had devoted her life to the development of the impoverished neighbourhoods across the country, was gunned down near her office in Orangi Town on March 13, 2013. Her driver Wali Dad had lodged an FIR.

In February 2014, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had filed a petition for independent, fair and effective re-investigation of the killing.