There can be no two opinions about Gen Kayani’s point regarding the need for national consensus on security issues. The in camera session of Parliament being convened on Friday is a right step provided defence and security officials put all the facts required before the parliamentarians. An in camera meeting of the type held in October 2008 failed to satisfy most parliamentarians who claimed that the security officials only repeated what the legislators already knew, holding back vital information. Complete and uncensored information needs to be presented before Parliament on two issues. First, regarding what is being described as the intelligence lapse concerning OBL’s undetected many year long stay in and around Abbottabad. Second, regarding the failure to stop an operation by foreign troops inside Pakistan. The intelligence lapse was no ordinary failure. It has created an extremely embarrassing situation for both the government and the army, worsened relations with our key allies and could cause serious problems for the already battered economy. On Monday, Senators asked the government to constitute a probe body along the lines of the Hamoodur Rehman Commission. Similarly, lawyers’ bodies including PBC, Bar Council, SCBA, Punjab Bar Council, LHCB and LBA have called for an investigation into the Abbottabad operation by an impartial commission comprising non-controversial retired judges and figures from other walks of life known for their integrity.
Facts should not only be shared with the Parliament but also with the general public after deleting sensitive details. To be credible, the process of national consensus has to be institutionalised. For this, bipartisan parliamentary committees on defence and intelligence have to be formed with a mandate to call concerned top officials for regular hearings. Unless this is, done the Parliament is liable to be accused of acting as no more than a rubber stamp.
For four days, those who really knew the facts remained comatose. The TV outlets put on the air and newspapers published whatever information and views were made available by commentators, some of them former military and intelligence officials. A better media handling required taking the media into confidence which the concerned authorities failed to do.
What embarrassment are you talking of as far as Pakistan's political government is concerned. Within hours of this embarrassment, the PM left fror a tour to France. As soon as he came back the President left for a tour to Kuwait, followed by another junket to Russia. As a newspaper, which claims to be a torch bearer of Hameed Nizami, you should comment on irresponsible behaviour of this President and his PM. When Pakistan was afflicted by deadly floods the President was visiting UK, followed by his trip to France etc. Why this DISCONNECT. Please speak the bitter truth.
Comments are closed.