As anticipated, leader of the opposition and Chief of PML(N) have rejected the commission set up by the government to investigate the May 2 raid by US Special Forces to evaluate the situation that lead to intelligence failure.
A question arises was there any need to set up commission when the facts are so open and clear? Certainly not. The commissions are set up when there is confusion and things are not clear and there is lack of evidence about the incident being investigated.
In this particular case, an in camera briefing was given by DG ISI and Deputy Chief of Air Staff in the joint session of the Parliament. DG ISI accepted failure of intelligence and offered to resign .Likewise, PAF acknowledged that they were not equipped with the latest art of technology. Under the circumstances, appointing commission makes no sense at all. If at all a commission was to be set up it should have been from the house and not from outside.
The facts are very clear: Osama came to Abbottabad during Gen Musharraf’s tenure who was also ignorant about his presence till the last day of his presidency and successors were equally incompetent. The US forces came, killed OBL and went away without being noticed. The country’s image has been damaged beyond repair and the US congress is questioning why the US should give aid to Pakistan given that they are so incompetent.
Parliament has lost the golden opportunity to have taken proper action against those who have been responsible for this gross negligence and failure. Let us not waste time on a commission. If history is anything to go by, it will do no good to the country. If at all, some action is required against certain officers it can be initiated even at this belated stage.
MUKHTAR AHMED
Lahore
