Cease and desist speculation
In what is a bizarre turn of events in an equally bizarre story, yet another minister’s removal from his position has become a point of controversy. Accused of playing a part in providing sensitive information regarding matters of national security to the public, Pervaiz Rashid was directed to step down to enable a “holding of an independent and detailed inquiry,” said a statement from the PM House. What followed was the announcement that the inquiry committee would comprise of senior officers of ISI, MI and IB to “clearly apportion blame, identify interests and motives and expose all those responsible for this episode for stern action in the national interest”. As mentioned, this isn’t the first time this has happened. Former Climate Change Minister Mushahid Ullah Khan’s removal sent shockwaves through the country after his remarks about the ISI chief in 2015.
That the government is planning an inquiry is a positive move – transparency is key in maintaining the trust of the people and our credibility internationally. What’s truly disappointing is the response of some of the players in Pakistani political arena to the announcement. For the leaders of Jamat e Islami and PAT among others to demand strict punishment for the former Information Minister is not only unfair, it’s unlawful. And – regardless of their opinion on the matter – the political parties are not the judge and jury of this matter, the inquiry commission will be.
When it comes to the matter of an inquiry though, that too raises questions of fairness and transparency, since prior experience – particularly in Sindh – has proven that Joint Investigative Task forces rarely possess the training needed to investigate such matters. Instead, they’re little more than glorified tools of information collection. As the Sindh High Court CJ observed on Saturday, JIT reports don’t have legal, evidentiary value.
It would be prudent therefore to ask instead for a judicial commission to conduct the inquiry and for all state and non actors to cease leveling allegations. In the eyes of the law, Pervaiz Rashid too is “innocent until proven guilty”.