Sindh CM says will take action over Shahrukh Jatoi's transfer to hospital

Murad says there will be action against everyone involved in the episode

ISLAMABAD:

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday vowed to take action against officials involved in the transfer of murder convict Shahrukh Jatoi to a private hospital in Karachi without the permission of the Home Department.

Shahrukh, who was sentenced for killing Shahzeb Khan in Dec 2012, was enjoying a "lavish lifestyle" at the hospital where the upper floor of the facility was rented by his family. His presence at the hospital was only known through a leaked video. After the video was released, the jail authorities moved him back to the prison.

In a comment on the incident, the Sindh CM said the provincial government will take action against everyone found involved in the episode. "I got to know about this yesterday; will order a full inquiry after I get back to Karachi," Murad told reporters in Islamabad.

Read: SHC commutes death sentences of Shahrukh Jatoi, Siraj Talpur

In 2018, the apex court had ordered the arrest of Shahrukh and two co-accused in the Shahzeb murder case after setting aside their acquittal by a trial court and removal of anti-terrorism charges by the Sindh High Court.

In 2018, then chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar during a surprise visit to Karachi's Malir Jail had caught Shahrukh enjoying B-class facilities at the prison. He had expressed displeasure after he found out that the VIP treatment was being meted out to Shahrukh and ordered the authorities to shift the murder convict to the death cell.

While talking to the media, the CM also lashed out at the federal government for its "incompetence". He said the federal government has always blamed others for its faults. "It blamed the Sindh government for flour, sugar, and fertilisers shortage," he added.