Faizabad Dharna Commission Report
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa delivered scathing remarks on Monday regarding the Faizabad sit-in inquiry commission report, labeling it as “very disappointing” and expressing surprise at its contents.
The comments were made during a hearing conducted by a three-member bench, headed by CJP Isa himself and comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Awan.
The Faizabad sit-in commission, established by Supreme Court orders to investigate the 2017 sit-in led by former Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi, concluded its probe by exonerating former spymaster Major General (retd) Azhar Naveed Hayat.
The commission, chaired by Dr. Akhtar Ali Shah and including senior PAS official Khushhal Khan and former inspector general Tahir Alam, recommended legal action based on findings by the federal government and Punjab.
During the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan presented the commission’s report, prompting criticism from CJP Isa, who questioned the effectiveness of the commission’s efforts and the clarity of its findings.
He lamented the lack of substantive conclusions and expressed dismay over what he perceived as a lack of seriousness in the report’s construction.
CJP Isa emphasized the importance of including viewpoints from all relevant parties, particularly members of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), whose involvement was pivotal in the sit-in.
He criticized the commission for what he deemed a superficial examination of key individuals, including former spymaster Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, suggesting bias in its approach.
The CJP also scrutinized the commission’s treatment of the military’s involvement, questioning the sacredness attributed to it and highlighting concerns over its impartiality.
He expressed frustration over what he perceived as a failure to hold accountable those responsible for facilitating the sit-in, suggesting that such oversights had contributed to subsequent incidents.
Overall, the hearing underscored the CJP’s dissatisfaction with the commission’s findings, highlighting broader concerns regarding accountability and transparency in addressing politically sensitive matters in Pakistan.
