CJ forms judicial commission to probe Quetta tragedy

QUETTA: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Anwar Zaheer Jamali, on Thursday formed a judicial commission to investigate the August 8 Civil Hospital Quetta tragedy, which claimed more than 70 lives.

The SC summoned a detailed report within a month from the commission.A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, heard the case at the SC Registry in Quetta. Other members of the bench included Justice Ameer Hani Muslim and Justice Faisal Arab. Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Khan Bugti, Balochistan Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattha, IG police and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

The IG police, health ministry and home ministry submitted reports in the hearing stating that the investigation team for the Quetta carnage had been changed while private guards’ licences for the Civil Hospital had been cancelled.

It was also stated in the report that the non cadre secretary health had been changed. Representing the dead lawyers and following the case as their counsel, Hamid Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s report. The CJ remarked that Hamid Khan had submitted his response and asked him what should be the next step. Responding to the CJ, Hamid Khan said that an undisputed SC commission be formed that might give its report within a month’s time.

The SC announced to form a one-member bench judicial commission in chair of Justice Qazi Muhammad Faez Isa after arguments of Hamid Khan and ordered the commission to submit its report within a month.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till the submission of judicial commission’s report. The judicial commission, headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, will present a report on the incident in a month’s time. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court Quetta Registry heard the Civil Hospital tragedy suo moto case. Last month, the Balochistan government had constituted a judicial commission to probe the tragedy. The commission will submit its report within 60 days to the Balochistan government.