Accusing the intelligence agencies of having failed to detect Osama bin Laden’s presence “right under their noses” in Abbottabad and rejecting the military investigation, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday demanded that the government appoint an all-powerful judicial commission led by the Supreme Court chief justice to probe the matter.
“We completely reject the prime minister’s committee to be headed by a lieutenant general. It is powerless and cannot investigate the matter in depth,” Nawaz told a news conference at the end of two-day party meeting that he chaired after his return to the country from the UK. “We must get to the bottom of the issue otherwise history will not forgive us,” he said, adding that the incident showed that the defence of the country had weakened. Nawaz called upon the government to set up a commission headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising chief justices of the provincial high courts and the Islamabad High Court within three days.
“I have written a letter to the prime minister for the constitution of a judicial commission to thoroughly probe the recent events so that the people of Pakistan and the international community are made aware of the complete factual situation,” he said. “This commission shall be given 21 days to ascertain complete facts of Osama bin Laden’s presence and the American operation in Pakistan,” he said, adding that the commission should have full authority to summon any official that it deemed fit for investigation.
However, he said if the government failed to form the commission, he would discuss the matter with his party and announce the future course of action. The PML-N chief said findings of the judicial commission should be made public so that the nation could be made aware of the mistakes made by those responsible. Nawaz said government agencies, which were supposed to be vigilant, failed to get information about the movement of the US helicopters.
“Our secret agencies chase politicians but couldn’t see what was happening right under their noses. They continue to play political chess. It has plunged the country into worldwide humiliation,” he said, adding, “We should treat this cancer with full seriousness.” “The government and the armed forces have not given satisfactory answers and the Osama raid has affected the morale of the armed forces. The incident has not only raised serious questions in the minds of common people but has also caused resentment and demoralisation in the cadres of the armed forces,” PML-N leader said.
He said that the Abbottabad operation was the result of negligence on the part of relevant institutions and it could not be overlooked. “Osama’s presence in Abbottabad right under the nose of defence organisations is the intelligence failure and the country’s defence system seems to be so weak that it couldn’t detect the US intrusion and their presence in our space and ground limits for nearly two hours is the worse form of negligence on the part of these institutions,” Nawaz said.
Asked why he had not asked for the resignations of the civilian and military leaders in the wake of the Abbottabad operation, Nawaz said the demand that they made for the judicial commission was the result of thorough two-day deliberations that he had with the party leaders as it was a very serious issue. “If I ask for the resignations of the president and the prime minister that means I am satisfied and rather appreciate the role of the military leadership in the Abbottabad incident and same is the case for other way round. Let us wait until someone is held responsible for the incident and after that we will not hesitate to ask for the resignations,” he said.
To another query, he said he had extended cooperation to President Asif Zardari and the government keeping in view the broad national interests but they did not respond in kind and opted for policies that caused harm to the interests of country.
Pakistan's No.1 Enemy is its Military. Its high time that the Awam wakes up and help bring it under control of the civilian Govt. Ask yourself, are you safer than when you were 20 years ago. It ventures in Terrorism all over and has brought disrepute and violence to ordinary places. Why does it have to resort to Terrosism. Why Kargil and loose 1000 men Why bring misery to awam so that they can't get Visas to other countries and make Pakistan the most dangerous and hated place
Pakistani people are same as Indians.We are educated, good and progressive.
In India and Pakistan, the masses think very highly of their Military because they are better than other institutes. But on the world stage compared to Europe, USA and Oriental countries all South Asian armies are Incompetent , pathetic and corrupt.
I hope people in Pakistan and India get smarter and try to resolve their disputes peacefully
@Raj Bansal— The Pak Army is an important institution for the defense of our country and its survival as a credibile institution is vital for this country. Of late since the days when Zia ul Haq took over, followed by 8 years of Musharraf's misrule, this country has to endure many intrigues and unfortunate mishaps. Our institutions, including our army has had its image tarnished. India is also one our neighbours which has created a lot of troubles for us. However it is time now we reassess our policies and close our borders to foreign terrorists, whateever their origin may be. The Indian Army also has many black deeds to its credit, which include the attack and burning of train in Gujrat, which caused death of hundreds of innocent muslims. Incidence of rape and murder in Kashmir involving the indian Army cannot be justified. MNS demand for a high powered judicial commission led by Chief Justice is a move in the right direction. We need to strengthen the state by respecting the will of the people and setting our priorities right. The army also needs to reform and change with the need of times, so must our political parties. .
@ Raj— Corruption needs to be eradicated and no individual including the military dictators can compromise state sovereignity. If any understanding has been made without approval by our elected parliament which allows American troops to use our soil, such agreements need to be reavaluated. Osama and other foreigners had no business to be here without any valid visas. It is time such illegal foreigners be forced to leave Pakistan
Ali and Mjee
I live in USA and proud to have lot of Pakistani friends. Please read Dawn's Balooch article http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/12/failing-the-baloch…
As I said, we need get out of our Mind set of Pakistan and India. When we are out side our area, no body knows whether we are from India/Pakistan or other South Asian Countries. If China is Pakistans friend or Usa is India's friend, its not because they love Pakistanis or Indians.Its simply beacuase their purpose is served. Let an ordinary Pakistani or Indian apply for a Visa- Hardly any chance
So it is better for us to unite and make a difference by improving the well being of our countries.
I agre with both of you of the terrible toll minorties pay in both Pakistan and India
Unfortunately those who sit in power corridors in Delhi do not think like Raj. However there is hope that if people of India and Pakistan rise up and reverse this policy of hounding each other, things may improve. We must change the mindset of both the armies, ie the powerful Indian Army and our own. But this can only happen if India decides to do so, being the more powerful and bigger nation. The time has come when Pakistan must close its borders to terrorists, be they Arabs, or Indians, or Uzbeks, or the Jundulah. India must also suspend its covert operation to promote an insurgencu in Baluchistan through its agents based in Afghanistan. Pakistan must respond likewise. India also needs to resolve the water issue judiciously. I hope men of courage like Raj in India can assert themselves. Remember the role played by India in former East Pakistan. It must come with clean hands and clean minds. It is time the people of Pakistan and India live in peace so that they can address the problems of poverty in their two nations.
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