Judicial commission on May 9 vandalism yet to be established

The judicial commission to investigate the May 9 vandalism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is yet to be established after the passage of six months despite the fact that the provincial cabinet had approved it on June 27, 2024.

According to sources, K-P Advocate General Shah Faisal Utman Khel had sent a letter to the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on July 29, requesting the formation of the judicial commission.

However, in August 2024, the PHC had returned the request with an objection by terming it in violation of the Rules of Business 1985.

Sources further revealed that the Home Department had addressed the PHC's objections and sent another letter to the Chief Justice for the formation of the commission.

In this regard, Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam, in an interview with a private TV channel, has stated that, after the cabinet's approval, a letter had been sent to the PHC Chief Justice to establish the judicial commission.

However, he said, no positive response had been shown. He stressed the urgent need to establish the commission.

He further remarked that the refusal to form the commission was regrettable and that legal violations had been committed over the past two and a half years in the crackdown against the PTI.

He also pointed out that the First Information Report (FIR) on the assassination attempt on the PTI founder had not yet been registered.

The Advocate General said K-P had sent another letter to the PHC in September 2024 for the judicial commission but the PHC had not yet responded.