Deadline for final report: Abbottabad commission given 30 days

Commission held thorough investigations, examined witnesses, conducted field missions and its report was much awaited

ISLAMABAD: The government has directed the commission that was assigned to investigate US raid in Abbotabad killing Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden to submit its report before 12 of October. The Law and Justice Division issued a notification on Tuesday according to which the Abbottabad Commission would have to complete the inquiry and submit its report to the Federal Government within thirty days commencing from the 12th September 2012. Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal led commission was formed in the aftermath of May 2, 2011 attack. It was tasked with ascertaining the full facts regarding the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan; investigating circumstances and facts regarding the US operation in Abbottabad on May 2, 2011; determining the nature, background and causes of lapses of authorities concerned; and making consequential recommendations. The commission held thorough investigations, examined witnesses and also conducted field missions and its report was much awaited.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2012.