Islamabad, Dec 14 (IANS) The commission investigating the killing of Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad said Wednesday its had completed its inquiry and would submit its report to the government within a month.
The 40-year-old Shahzad, who was Southeast Asia bureau chief for Asia Times Online and also worked for Adnkroknos International, disappeared in Islamabad May 29. His body was recovered two days later in Mandi Bahauddin, 150 km from the capital. The body bore signs of torture.
Taimur Asmat Usman, the secretary of the inquiry commission, said Wednesday the panel tried its best to collect all relevant material and evidence, AKI news agency reported.
The commission recorded the statement of ISI officials Brig. Zahid Mehmood Khan, Rear Admiral Adnan Nazir, Brig. Iftikhar Ali Khan and Commodore Khalid Pervaiz.
The killing occurred just days after Shahzad published an article in Asia Times Online alleging links between Al Qaeda and officials in the Pakistani navy. Suspicion fell on Pakistan's spy agency ISI, which denied involvement in his death.
Pervaiz Shaukat, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, represented the journalist community.
Shaukat submitted his statement Tuesday to the commission. It contained details of his recent meeting with the family of the late journalist in Karachi.
"We have been extremely careful and meticulous in ensuring that the evidence is collected from every possible source, covering all aspects," Shaukat said.
