Team formed to probe Arshad Sharif’s killing leaves for Kenya

Two-member FIA team will dig out facts and circumstances in the killing

ISLAMABAD:

A two-member Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team formed on Friday left for Kenya to investigate and ascertain the fact of senior journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing on the foreign land under mysterious circumstances.

The development came days after the government formed a two-member team comprising FIA director Athar Wahid and IB deputy director general Omar Shahid Hamid to ascertain the facts of the journalist’s murder.

However, the sources privy to the development revealed the two officials have left for Doha on separate planes. The head of the team, Athar Waheed, flew from Islamabad to Doha via Qatar Airlines flight number 615, while Omar Shahid Hamid left Karachi for Doha.

The team will resume the journey to the East African country from Doha Airport and will set sail for Nairobi.

Read more: No letter written to UAE for Arshad Sharif's expulsion: FO

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan Embassy in Kenya will be obliged to facilitate the investigation team and provide assistance during its stay.

The sources added that the probe team will dig out the facts about the events that took place before and after the murder, including the circumstances that led to the arrival of Arshad Sharif – who fled the country after he was charged with sedition – in Kenya.

Besides, the team will also find out the late journalist’s accommodation arrangements in the country. It will review the post-mortem report in Kenya, the vehicle and travel records of the victim of the shooting, and the police team there.

Also read: ISI official excluded from Arshad’s murder probe

The sources added that the team’s stay in Kenya may last for two weeks.

It is pertinent to note that the interior ministry on Wednesday removed a representative of the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) from the list of officials, who would be part of the team to probe the matter.

The new notification was issued hours after the ministry had named three officials for the high-profile team – FIA Director Athar Waheed, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Deputy Director General Omar Shahid Hamid and ISI's Lt Col Saad Ahmed.

In a revised notification, the ministry removed the ISI official's name from the body. However, it provided no explanation as to why the ISI officer was taken off the team.

The notification also said that the team would present its report to the Interior Division.