ISLAMABAD, Dec 19: A one-man commission --- comprising Justice Shahzado Shaikh of the Federal Shariat Court and formed to conduct an inquiry into the Lal Masjid operation --- commenced its proceedings on Wednesday.

Sources in the commission told Dawn that four relatives of the victims of the July 2007 military operation got their names registered with the commission to record their testimony.

The commission has announced that witnesses would be registered from Dec 19 to 26.

Sources said the commission would scrutinise witnesses’ list after Dec 26 and then summon witnesses to record their testimony. According to the sources, at a later stage the commission will summon government officials and law-enforcement personnel to record their statements and collect evidence.

Hearing complaints filed by the heirs of 103 people missing since the operation, the Supreme Court on Dec 4 had constituted the commission and set a 45-day deadline to complete the inquiry.

The commission is being assisted by district and sessions judge Syed Muzaffer Ali Shah and additional sessions judge Kamran Basharat Mufti who have been appointed as secretary and additional secretary of the commission.

Opinion

Political capitalism

Political capitalism

Pakistani decision-makers salivate at the prospect of a one-party state but without paying attention to those additional ingredients.

Editorial

Spending restrictions
Updated 13 May, 2024

Spending restrictions

The country's "recovery" in recent months remains fragile and any shock at this point can mean a relapse.
Climate authority
13 May, 2024

Climate authority

WITH the authorities dragging their feet for seven years on the establishment of a Climate Change Authority and...
Vending organs
13 May, 2024

Vending organs

IN these cash-strapped times, black marketers in the organ trade are returning to rake it in by harvesting the ...
A turbulent 2023
Updated 12 May, 2024

A turbulent 2023

Govt must ensure judiciary's independence, respect for democratic processes, and protection for all citizens against abuse of power.
A moral victory
12 May, 2024

A moral victory

AS the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Friday in favour of granting Palestine greater rights at the...
Hope after defeat
12 May, 2024

Hope after defeat

ON Saturday, having fallen behind Japan in the first quarter of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final, Pakistan showed...