The Federal Constitutional Court has disposed of the Arshad Sharif murder case, ruling that there is no need for further judicial intervention at this stage as the governments of Pakistan and Kenya are taking appropriate measures.

In a detailed 14-page verdict authored by Justice Aamer Farooq, the court said keeping the case pending or placing investigations under continuous judicial supervision would be contrary to transparency and the rights of the accused.

The court noted that Pakistan and Kenya have already signed a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) agreement, while the arrest of suspects and issuance of black warrants for their trial in Pakistan have also been completed.

It observed that no party had raised objections over the performance of the Special Joint Investigation Team (SJIT) so far. The verdict added that the pace of investigations depends on diplomatic coordination with Kenya and the laws governing sovereign states.

The court further ruled that the matter of approaching international forums falls within the government’s discretion and foreign policy domain.

“In the instant case, we note that since the MLA agreement has been signed between the two nations and they are also coordinating at the diplomatic level to implement it, we are of the view that the authorities of both countries are taking appropriate action under their respective laws. Therefore, there is no need for any judicial interference in this regard when the law and investigation is taking its due course,” it said.

“The instant suo moto action is disposed of. Accordingly, all pending applications are also disposed of,” the court said.

The court in its ruling said that “we acknowledge and sharethe grief felt by our Nation and the journalist community over the death of our citizen [Arshad Sharif]”.