Supreme Court of Pakistan. — Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: Taking up a petition requesting the setting up of a judicial commission to investigate the killing of journalist Saleem Shahzad, the Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the federal secretaries for law, interior and information with directions to submit their responses before the court by June 20, DawnNews reported.

The court heard the petition moved by SCBA president Asma Jehangir on behalf of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). The petition requests the setting up of a high-powered judicial commission to investigate Mr Shahzad's killing.

PFUJ’s counsel Ms Jehangir reportedly stated that Mr Shahzad's mobile phone records spanning over 15 days had been wiped out.

She said the court could also summon the chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and added that intelligence agencies were capable of wiping out telephone records.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said that the government did not fulfill the legal formalities requisite for appointing Justice Saqib Nisar as head of a judicial probe.

Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing to June 20.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...