Islamabad: Supreme Court (SC) while expressing concern over the matters of award of punishment merely on the basis of interviews of media representatives in criminal cases has issued notice to Attorney general, advocate general and prosecutor general and sought reply in child murder case.

Justice Athar Minallah has remarked what is value of media persons interview in murder criminal cases. If the accused is on remand then even court cannot interfere.

When accused is acquitted then allegation is shifted on courts. No one can offer comments on court's proceeding in all the world.

He gave these remarks during the hearing of case while presiding over a 3-member bench of SC here Friday.

The counsel for the accused told the 3-member bench that the journalist declared the accused guilty of murder in his report. The journalist said Shahid Ali is murderer as per his investigation.

Justice Athar Minallah remarked our concern is fair trial. No one can interfere in fair trial.

Justice Irfan Saadat remarked will the accused be hanged on the interviews of journalist.

Justice Athar Minallah remarked evidence are collected in criminal cases. when the accused is acquitted then allegation comes on court. No one except investigator can interfere in criminal cases.

The court has issued notice to attorney general, advocate general and prosecutor general and adjourned the hearing of the case till January 27.

It is pertinent to mention here that the accused Shahid Ali was awarded death sentence for murdering a child in Karachi. The accused confessed his crime in media interview but deviated from his statement before magistrate.

Trial court awarded death sentence to him by relying on media interview. Sindh high court too upheld trial court decision.