ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court was informed on Monday that a three-member inquiry commission has been constituted to probe into the incident of keeping Islamabad hostage by a man and his wife for about five hours.
The court said that the interim report, prepared within 48 hours of the incident, shall not be acted upon till the final report of the inquiry commission.
On August 15, 2013 a person, namely Sikandar accompanying his wife and two kids, with two assault rifles - AK-47 and a latest submachine gun (SMG) - in his hands, kept the federal capital hostage after crossing all the police check-posts and barriers and entering into the Jinnah Avenue, in front of the Parliament Building.
Additional Attorney General Shah Khahwar informed a three-judge bench, hearing Tariq Asad’s petition, that Justice Shahid Saeed, former judge of Lahore High Court, will head the commission, which will also comprise Javed Akhtar PAS, Additional Secretary CAD and Dr Usman Anwar PSP, Director (Immigration) FIA.
The commission is formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1956 to probe the capacity of ICT police to hand such situation and point out shortcoming, if any. Failure of the ICT police to cordon off the area and ensure effective control resulting in uncalled for intrusion.
It would also see the failure of the Islamabad administration and police to respond as a coherent unit and will also ascertain the performance of officers of ICT administration and police with reference to their job description fixation of responsibility on delinquent officers. It would also examine the role of Pemra with reference to its charter of duties, and shall prepare SOPs in consultation with police and administration to handle such impromptus situation in future.
The commission shall have power to summon record and any person as well as record evidence. “Non-compliance of its directions shall be punishable.” It shall have all the power as vested in the Commission of Inquiry Act 1956 as amended from time to time.
The commission shall be assisted by all the concerned authorities or department of the federal government, Chief Commissioner ICT and Islamabad police. The ministry of interior shall assist the commission.
Advocate Tariq Asad has filed a petition to constitute a judicial commission comprising some high ranked retired military officer to probe into the matter and place responsibility on those who were responsible to prolong the event, and allowed the public to watch the scene.
The case is adjourned for three weeks.
Advocate Tariq Asad, the petitioner, further prayed that action should be taken against Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for allowing the TV channels to telecast live transmissions of such terrorism against their code of conduct.