The Pakistani Supreme Court is urging progress in the stalled Arshad Sharif murder investigation, highlighting delays in ratifying a mutual legal assistance agreement with Kenya. This agreement is vital for sharing evidence in the case, where Sharif was fatally shot by Kenyan police. The court has demanded daily updates from the government, emphasizing the need for accountability and cooperation between Pakistan and Kenya.
The Pakistani Supreme Court is pressing for swift action in the stalled investigation into the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif. As of now, both Kenya and Pakistan have not ratified a mutual legal assistance agreement essential for the exchange of critical evidence regarding Sharif’s brutal killing.
Amid reports of delays, the Pakistani government requested more time from the Supreme Court to finalize this agreement with Kenya, originally signed in December. The constitutional bench displayed considerable frustration towards these delays, demanding daily progress updates from the government regarding the pact’s status.
Arshad Sharif, who was tragically shot in Nairobi in October 2022, fell victim to what the Kenyan police later described as a case of mistaken identity. Autopsy results confirmed that Sharif sustained a fatal head wound, aligning with eyewitness testimonies that highlighted the incident’s brutality.
Justices in the Supreme Court openly questioned the lack of progress, given the months that have passed since the agreement was signed. Legal experts emphasize that this mutual legal assistance pact is vital for Pakistani investigators to access crucial crime scene evidence and foster better cooperation with their Kenyan counterparts.
In the meantime, Sharif’s widow has publicly expressed her distress over the inadequate support from the Pakistani government as she navigates the legal challenges alone in Kenya, which has only intensified public outrage. During a recent hearing, judges criticized the drawn-out nature of the case, noting the lack of justice for a well-known journalist who was violently murdered.
The Kenyan judiciary has also been prompted to accelerate their investigation process following a high court ruling that called for a more thorough and systematic approach. The ongoing delays have compounded the difficulties surrounding Sharif’s case, especially considering his prior flight from Pakistan amid serious charges.
With a month-long adjournment granted by the Supreme Court, the spotlight is firmly on the government to clear bureaucratic obstacles and ensure accountability for those responsible for the tragedy that befell Arshad Sharif.
The ongoing inaction by the Pakistani government in finalizing the mutual legal assistance agreement with Kenya has left the investigation into Arshad Sharif’s murder stalled and unresolved. The Supreme Court’s demand for daily progress reports emphasizes the need for accountability and justice for the late journalist, while also highlighting the urgent need for cooperation between the two countries’ judicial systems. As public pressure mounts, the next steps taken by the government will be crucial in addressing the grievances surrounding this tragic case.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
