Zainab Murder: SC forms new JIT to probe allegations of anchorperson

LAHORE (92 News) – The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) resumed hearing of Zainab rape and murder suo motu case at Lahore Registry on Sunday. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case. During the proceedings, Justice Saqib Nisar asked the anchorperson that the bank accounts he mentioned does not exit, adding that your talks spread confusion in the society. The CJP asked Dr Shahid Masood to present evidence of the 37 bank accounts. The court also formed another Joint Investigation Team (JIT) headed by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official Bashir Memon to probe into the allegations of anchorperson Shahid Masood. Earlier, the apex court issued notices to specific media persons to appear before it with particular reference to proceedings in the case. The media persons who have been summoned in-person include Hameed Haroon, Shakeel-ur-Rehman, Ms Rameeza, Fahad Hussain, I A Rehman, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Kamran Khan, Kashif Abbasi, Hamid Mir, Mian Amir Mehmood, Sarmad Ali and Zia Shahid. It is pertinent here to mention that the chief justice while taking notice of the TV show, had summoned Shahid Masood, who pointed out that Imran Ali, the accused in Zainab murder case, allegedly had 37 bank accounts besides a network. The court had directed the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the matter in two days and submit the report before the bench during the next hearing. Previously, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had found no bank accounts in the name of the suspect in Zainab rape and murder case. The SBP in its investigative report said it did not find any bank accounts under the suspect’s name following the claims of anchorperson Shahid Masood that arrested suspect in Zainab murder case was linked to an international child-porn ring and was holding multiple bank accounts.   SC BANS JUDICIAL COMMISSIONS: The top court further banned the formation of judicial commission by the prime minister and chief minister, saying that the investigation is the right way, adding that the issue go into the backburner when such commissions are formed. "No commission will be formed in the future as conducting an investigation is the right way," the CJP observed.   ZAINAB’S FATHER BARRED FROM MEDIA TALKS: On the other hand, the apex court also banned Ameen Ansari, father of deceased minor seven-year-old Zainab, and his counsel from media talk. Justice Mian Saqib Nisar also asked Ameen Ansari to cooperate with the police whenever he is called. The father of Zainab thanked the chief justice of taking suo moto notice of the incident and hoped justice will be delivered in the case. The court later adjourned the hearing for two weeks.