Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The investigation commission for the ‘newsgate’ scandal has completed its task and an inquiry report will be submitted to Interior Affairs Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan next week, sources disclosed. The sources told Daily Times that an inquiry commission met in the chair of justice retired Amir Raza Khan. The commission’s meetings were held in Islamabad at different locations while the commission met at Governor House Lahore. All proceedings were kept secret due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The main character in this scandal, journalist Cyril Almeida, has recorded his statement and sources disclosed that he stood by his story. However, he maintained that he contacted all relevant quarters for their point of view before filing the news and in this regard he presented the record in front of the commission.

Sources were of the view that the inquiry commission was formed on 10th November and it was given thirty days to complete its work. The commission has almost completed its task and it is expected that the report of the commission would be presented to the federal interior minister next week. Chaudhry Nisar is back from London after an operation and he would be present the commission’s report to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well.

Representatives of two intelligence agencies may differ from the other members of the commission and a dissent note can be issued because they had solid evidence that the news was leaked and some high ups were involved in this.

A commission accessed the required document records and considered all evidence carefully. Sources said that the commission would recommend action against those responsible and ensure similar incidents in the future could be prevented. It may be mentioned here that corp commanders declared the news a breach of security and demanded of the government that action may be taken against the culprits.