It was quite strange to watch a hurriedly called press conference by the OBL judicial enquiry commission, on 8 December, to brief the media on progress made so far on such a sensitive issue: How come OBL could stay in the garrison town of Abbottabad without being noticed by intelligence agencies and why couldn’t the military come into action on May 2? As the matter is of sensitive nature and enquiry is still going on , then why to call an unruly press conference, packed with some unknown media personnel? Shouldn’t it be better for the commission to first conclude its deliberations and compile the report for the authority who established this commission in the first place? Then if required and authorised by the government, commission would have explained its findings to the general public.
But apparently commission has made up its mind to tackle the main question (which will also help justify the military’ inaction) – how come OBL stayed in Abbottabad. Answering a question, the commission head questioned the very presence of OBL in Abbottabad in a very meaningful manner. It appears that the commission will come up with the conclusion (in line with many conspiracy theorists) that the person killed in May 2 raid was in fact not OBL but a look-alike planted by Al-Qaeda to misguide the Americans.
They will have some tactful answers to the questions such as why Dr Shahid Afridi, who arranged fake vaccination drive to get OBL’s offspring’s DNA samples, is facing treason charges. Also what OBL’s three wives and score of children were doing in Pakistan, could be justified that they were in Pakistan same as millions of Afghan refugees are still living all across the country.
Well, a relief for many in Islamabad but who is going to buy such a report in international community. Let’s wait and see.
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arab
