A district and sessions court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Summaiya Arshad, the wife of the murdered journalist Arshad Sharif, and producer Ali Usman.
The warrants were issued because both individuals reportedly failed to appear in court despite receiving summonses.
Arshad Sharif, a well-known anchorperson, had left the country in August 2022 to avoid arrest, as he faced multiple cases, including sedition charges, related to an interview with PTI leader Shahbaz Gill. Sharif had alleged threats to his life and initially moved to Dubai, later relocating to Kenya.
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In a mysterious killing, Arshad Sharif was shot dead on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, on October 23. Kenyan authorities’ investigation hinted at a potential “inside job” and suggested that Sharif had been under surveillance for some time.
Separately, the Supreme Court of Pakistan initiated suo moto proceedings in December 2022, led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, to investigate Arshad Sharif’s murder. During the proceedings, the court rejected a plea to include five individuals, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in the investigation scope.
The court directed the petitioner to approach the Special Joint Investigation Team instead, emphasizing its role in facilitating the murder investigation.
The court also stressed the importance of determining why Sharif had traveled to Kenya and the examination of the vehicle in which the journalist was killed. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the case could not proceed until a mutual cooperation agreement was reached with Kenya, and efforts to communicate with Interpol were underway.
Sharif’s lawyer initially sought the formation of a judicial commission in the Islamabad High Court to ensure a fair and transparent probe into the murder.
