Two years on: Abbottabad report remains out of sight
Document yet to be made public despite tall claims from commission head; TTP releases new video.
Document yet to be made public despite tall claims from commission head; TTP releases new video. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON/ISLAMABAD:
The much-awaited report of Abbottabad commission, tasked to probe the May 2, 2011 raid which led to the death of Osama bin Laden, is yet to be made public.
The government had formed a five-member commission on June 21, 2011, almost two months after the incident in which US navy seals captured and killed the former al Qaeda leader.
The commission was to find out exactly what happened and who was responsible for failing to catch the high-profile target, who had taken refuge in Abbottabad.
Initially, the commission was given 30 days to complete its report but after being provided several extensions, the report was submitted to the prime minister over a year later on January 3, 2013.
Most of the findings of the said report were leaked to the press and were strongly criticised by defence experts.
Political analyst Imtiaz Gul said, “It has been a historic practice that the truth goes under the carpet by the ruling elite in Pakistan for some well-known gains.”
“Since 1954, after the killing of then prime minister Liaqat Ali Khan, the formation of such commissions started taking place and there are no findings exposed yet by the ruling setup for the sake of political gain,” he added.
He added that the Abbottabad commission which was formed as a result of a parliamentary resolution did its part and submitted report to the government but the PPP-led coalition setup “buckled itself under the military’s pressure and failed in exposing the content of the report.” Officials told The Express Tribune that former premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had the authority to decide whether to keep the report classified or make it public and chose to remain silent.
Taliban pledge
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has announced it would continue the mission of bin Laden. TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, in a video message issued on the second anniversary of the death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, said they will complete the mission of Osama.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2013.
The much-awaited report of Abbottabad commission, tasked to probe the May 2, 2011 raid which led to the death of Osama bin Laden, is yet to be made public.
The government had formed a five-member commission on June 21, 2011, almost two months after the incident in which US navy seals captured and killed the former al Qaeda leader.
The commission was to find out exactly what happened and who was responsible for failing to catch the high-profile target, who had taken refuge in Abbottabad.
Initially, the commission was given 30 days to complete its report but after being provided several extensions, the report was submitted to the prime minister over a year later on January 3, 2013.
Most of the findings of the said report were leaked to the press and were strongly criticised by defence experts.
Political analyst Imtiaz Gul said, “It has been a historic practice that the truth goes under the carpet by the ruling elite in Pakistan for some well-known gains.”
“Since 1954, after the killing of then prime minister Liaqat Ali Khan, the formation of such commissions started taking place and there are no findings exposed yet by the ruling setup for the sake of political gain,” he added.
He added that the Abbottabad commission which was formed as a result of a parliamentary resolution did its part and submitted report to the government but the PPP-led coalition setup “buckled itself under the military’s pressure and failed in exposing the content of the report.” Officials told The Express Tribune that former premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had the authority to decide whether to keep the report classified or make it public and chose to remain silent.
Taliban pledge
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has announced it would continue the mission of bin Laden. TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, in a video message issued on the second anniversary of the death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, said they will complete the mission of Osama.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2013.