Arshad’s mother seeks non-partisan inquiry

Riffat Ara demands judicial commission in letter to CJP

ISLAMABAD:

Slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s mother, Riffat Ara Alvi, 

penned a letter on Wednesday to Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial requesting him to form a high-level judicial commission to probe into her son’s death.

Riffat urged CJ Bandial to “protect the case from controversy and political hypocrisy and provide justice to the family”.

Arshad's mother, in her letter, has also stated that Kenyan police has changed its position “three to four times” regarding the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s killing and alleged that federal ministers have also “fabricated stories" before the departure of the investigation team that are already on "media record”.

"My shaheed son Arshad Sharif during his life, wrote a letter to your honour on 12th July 2022 to bring into your notice the threats to his life and the numerous baseless criminal cases initiated across the country by the present government (multiple FIRs) against him on the grounds of sedition and other charges. On account of this my shaheed son was forced to leave the country on 10th August 2022 and had to take refuge in Dubai," she wrote.

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She said that when Sharif had reached Dubai, she was relieved that he was out of danger but the government "pressured" the UAE government which forced her son to flee the country.

Riffat further said that her son was "mercilessly assassinated" after two months in Kenya.

She also urged the apex court to take notice of the government’s “behaviour” following the incident.

"Well before the investigation team had left for Kenya on 28th October 2022, federal ministers started airing different fabricated stories in relation to the death of my shaheed son which are available on media record," she highlighted.

"The prime minister in his statement had made an announcement that a letter will be written to Islamabad High Court to appoint a high power judicial commission, however, unfortunately, contradictory to his statement one retired Justice Abdul Shakoor Piracha and two federal government officials have been made members of the commission which indicates malafide intentions of the government," she added.

She sought a high-powered judicial commission "so that the feeling of insecurity amongst the family members of Shaheed Arshad Sharif along with the journalist community is taken care of".

Expressing hope her letter would not be ignored in the same manner that her son's letter was, the slain journalist's mother said this was her "first and last letter, requesting for justice in accordance with the law".

"Otherwise I rest my case to Allah SWT waiting for His justice," she stated.