PIMS inquiry nears completion, IHC told

The Additional Attorney General has informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the inquiry into the PIMS incident is almost complete and the prime minister is required to issue directions. He sought two to three weeks to submit the complete inquiry report and the government's response.

The court directed the respondents to submit para-wise comments and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar heard petitions filed by lawyers Nasir Azim, Nasir A Mujahid and Dr Muhammad Iqbal, which were clubbed together. The petitions seek an inquiry into the PIMS incident, removal of the PIMS executive director and a judicial inquiry into the matter.

Despite court notices, the federal government and other respondents had not submitted their replies.

Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez requested more time to file the responses. The chief justice observed that the replies from the respondents were still awaited.

Rashid Hafeez said the inquiry was almost complete and that the prime minister had yet to issue directions. He requested two to three weeks to submit the complete report and response.

The court accepted the request and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.