ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Monday issued notices to the foreign and interior secretaries directing them to submit a report by tomorrow (Tuesday) on the assassination of journalist Arshad Sharif in Nairobi.

Hearing a petition seeking an inquiry into Arshad Sharif’s assassination, the court also directed the representatives of foreign and interior ministries to immediately meet the slain journalist’s family. The petition filed by Advocate Shoaib Razzaq, requested the court to order formation of a judicial commission to investigate why journalist Arshad Sharif was forced to flee Pakistan, and later the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The petition further requested the court that the judicial commission may also be directed to liaison with the national agencies and the Kenyan agencies and probe into the heinous act which had led to the unwarranted cold-blooded murder of Arshad Sharif. The court has also been requested to direct the concerned authorities to bring back the journalist’s body to Pakistan.