FCC ponders over suo motu jurisdiction

Seeks report in Arshad Sharif murder case by Dec 17

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Constitutional Court Wednesday sought an updated progress report by December 17 on the investigation into the murder of senior journalist Arshad Sharif and asked lawyers of all parties to assist the court on the question of its suo motu jurisdiction.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case.

The court directed that the upcoming report must include details of legal progress so far as well as proposals for future investigation, which will be taken up for discussion after the court's winter recess.

Justice Aamer Farooq questioned why there had been little progress in three years since the killing, and what concrete steps had been taken to bring those responsible to justice.

During the hearing, counsel for Sharif's widow argued that legal precedents allow the constitutional court to continue suo motu proceedings.She also requested access to the Joint Investigation Team's (JIT) report.

However, Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman said such access could only be granted after submission of the final challan.

He informed the court that Pakistan had finalized a mutual legal assistance agreement with Kenya and formally requested permission to visit the crime scene. He added that Pakistan must consider its diplomatic relations with Kenya, which supports Pakistan at various international forums.