The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Wednesday questioned whether it could continue proceedings in the murder case of journalist Arshad Sharif, following the curtailment of suo motu powers after Pakistan’s 27th Amendment.
Read More: FCC to hear Arshad Sharif murder case on Dec 3
The two-judge bench, led by Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Rozi Khan, highlighted the need to clarify jurisdiction before proceeding further. Sharif was shot in the head on October 23, 2022, by Kenyan police near Nairobi.
He had left Pakistan two months earlier amid multiple sedition cases. The Supreme Court had initially taken up the case suo motu for an independent probe, but the FCC now must determine if it can exercise these powers under the 27th Amendment.
New court and judges taking over, Arshad Sharif’s case in FCC.#JusticeForArshadSharif pic.twitter.com/HroaidvYvX
— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) December 2, 2025
Justice Farooq emphasized that the court could not function “without satisfying itself” on jurisdictional questions. Sharif’s wife, Javeria Siddique, through Advocate Imran Shafique, argued that thousands of letters sent to the Supreme Court after the murder could be treated as valid pleas, allowing the FCC to proceed.
The court also requested a progress report on the investigation, including steps taken and recommendations for moving forward. Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Aamer Rehman said a legal assistance agreement with Kenya had been reached, allowing a Special Joint Investigation Team (SJIT) to visit the crime scene.
He confirmed that 47 SJIT meetings had been held and statements from 74 individuals recorded. Rehman also noted that an FIR naming three absconding suspects—Khurram, Waqar, and Saleh—had been registered in Pakistan, with Interpol involved in issuing red warrants.
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Justice Farooq stressed the importance of achieving the purpose of the suo motu proceedings: bringing the culprits to justice. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the crime occurring outside Pakistan and the need to work within international law. The next hearing is scheduled for December 17, when the FCC will consider input on the jurisdictional question and review the progress report on the investigation.