RAWALPINDI – The Pakistan Army has rejected the Human Rights Watch report on judicial commission that probed journalist Saleem Shehzad murder, dubbing it extremely derogatory, biased and contradictory.
According to statement issued by the ISPR on Thursday, the press release issued by HRW New York on January 30th, 2012 has been found to be extremely derogatory, biased and contradictory in terms. It said In one stroke Mr Brad Adams has discredited the Judicial Commission that investigated Saleem Shehzad's alleged murder, demonized the ISI and castigated the Government of Pakistan, going on to suggest a darker destination of evidence if pursued again.
The statement noted that It was unclear where Mr Adams forms opinions like these from but one thing is evident that his thought process and ability to logically analyze a given situation suffers from serious bias.
The army added that the Judicial Commission in question was headed by a very honourable Judge of the same Supreme Court of Pakistan which was highly respected for its integrity and courage of conviction.
"To expect the Judicial Commission probing Saleem Shehzad's alleged murder headed by Honourable Justice Saqib Nisar, to spare or shy away form the so called 'culpable ISI' is not only disrespectful but also out of character of the Honourable Court," the statement added.
It said the HRW should visit the Supreme Court website to see what kind of historic and hitherto unheard of court actions have been initiated by the apex court regarding ISI / intelligence agencies and the unprecedented obedience / compliance they have readily commanded.
The statement further noted that Brad Adams may have his head buried deep in sand and HRW may be choking under heaps of bias but it is quite apparent that such diatribe is exceptionally disparaging despite an ' extensive examination ---' by the Commission, to quote HRW press release. It raises serious questions on the partisan nature of HRW and Brad Adam's objectivity.
It said any involvement of ISI in Mr Saleem Sehzad's alleged murder is categorically denied and the allegations levelled against ISI are baseless. NNI
The statement maintained that (a) The allegations levelled against ISI are baseless ab-initio. They are untenable both by evidence and logic; (b) Judicial Commission probing murder case had complete freedom of action and ISI spared no effort to cooperate and comply with all their requirements; (c) The press release in question is part of a well orchestrated and sinister media campaign, in which, HRW and the likes of Brad Adams and Ali Dayan Hassan may have been unwittingly drawn into; (d) With this press release, HRW appears to have seriously jeopardized the bipartisan and objective nature of its work.
It will be in fitness of things to expect HRW to withdraw this biased statement, the spokesman concluded.
– ISPR
