UK judge says no proof of ISI’s role in Arshad Sharif murder

LONDON: London High Court Deputy Judge Richard Spearman KC has given “key observations” about the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya three years ago, Geo News reported on Thursday.

He noted that Pakistan’s official fact-finding report on Arshad Sharif’s killing does not assign blame to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), even though Raja had built his defence around the claim that the agency was behind the journalist’s murder.

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“I have read the entire 600-page report,” the judge said. “Nowhere does it say that the ISI was responsible. If that had been the case, it would have been clearly stated.”

According to Geo, the judge made these remarks while concluding trial in a high-profile defamation case between retired Brigadier Rashid Naseer and ex-military officer Adil Raja at London High Court.

‘Connect dots to infer ISI’s involvement’

Raja’s lawyer, Simon Harding, argued that one could infer ISI’s involvement by connecting dots within the report. However, the judge disagreed, stating that such inferences could not replace explicit findings.

The court questioned Raja’s defence team on whether their published claims were in the public interest and whether their sources were credible or even real.

Raja’s legal team admitted the allegations were serious but contended they had not caused material damage to Rashid Naseer’s reputation in the UK.

‘Confidential sources confirmed ISI’s role’

Raja’s lawyers further said the information about Arshad Sharif killing in Kenya came from “confidential and trustworthy sources” whose identities could not be disclosed due to safety concerns.

However, the judge said that source credibility was critical, and without documentary evidence – such as messages, screenshots or testimony – claims could not be substantiated.

Witnesses: Shahzad Akbar, Shaheen Sehbai

Three witnesses appeared in Raja’s defence: Shahzad Akbar, Shaheen Sehbai and Syed Akbar. All acknowledged they were critics of the Pakistani government and regular collaborators with Raja’s online content.

Akbar said he had no financial dealings with Raja, though Syed Akbar admitted they shared revenue from a now-defunct YouTube channel.

The court also heard that Akbar had met Rashid Naseer in 2022 and asked for help in expediting legal proceedings against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Naseer reportedly refused, saying it was not his role.

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The defamation case against Raja stemmed from his nine social media publications, in which he accused Naseer of manipulating the 2023 elections by exerting influence over the Lahore High Court.

Both Akbar and Sehbai admitted they had no knowledge to support that claim.

The court’s verdict in the case is expected in the coming weeks.