In a major development, the fact-finding committee on Arshad Sharif’s murder established by the government has revealed alarming details in its report submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) during the suo moto proceedings of the case.
The fact-finding team was led by Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Athar Waheed and Intelligence Bureau’s (IB) Omar Shahid Hamid, who had traveled to Kenya to collect information into the incident.
As per the 592-page report, Arshad Sharif’s murder had been planned. The report also dismissed the view of the Kenyan Police that Arshad Sharif was killed due to mistaken identity.
The Fact Finding report on journalist Arshad Sharif's case established three major facts, It was a cold blooded murder, he was forced to leave Dubai and raised questioned over the 16 FIRs against him in Pakistan. Now, who ordered and who executed not difficult to find out.
— Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) December 7, 2022
The statements of Khurram Ahmed — one of the key suspects in the case, who was driving Arshad Sharif when the incident took place —are full of contradictions while the Kenyan police did not provide any assistance in the investigation.
Read more: SC gives govt. deadline to register FIR of Arshad Sharif’s killing
The report stated that Waqar Ahmed – Khurram’s brother and who sponsored and hosted the journalist – was connected to Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) and other international agencies and law enforcement. It furthered that the fact that Waqar handed over Sharif’s personal cell phone and iPad to a NIS officer, rather than to the police, ‘established’ his link with the NIS.
Why did Arshad Sharif leave Pakistan?
The report by the fact-finding committee stated that there were “compelling reasons for Sharif to leave Pakistan due to the criminal cases registered against him in different districts” of the country.
According to the family and friends, Arshad Sharif was threatened with death. 16 cases were registered against Arshad Sharif in Pakistan, but copies of only nine cases were provided to the investigation committee. He was also asked to leave the UAE by Emirati authorities.
Read more: Supreme Court takes suo moto notice of Arshad Sharif’s killing
The report said that Sharif was issued a UAE visa on June 20, 2022 and the visa was valid until August 18, 2022. When Sharif went to Kenya, his visa had 20 days remaining and he applied for a new visa on October 12, 2022, but his application was rejected.
The Fact Finiding Committee probing Arshad Sharif's murder should be appreciated for revealing the powerful individuals who made a mockery of law and the constitution of #Pakistan. Hopefully this report will serve as a stepping stone in implementing sound Rule of Law principles.
— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) December 7, 2022
The senior journalist and former ARY News anchor, was killed in Kenyan capital Nairobi on October 23 where he was living in self-exile.