The proposed visit from Wednesday of the Pakistan Judicial Commission probing the Mumbai November 26, 2008 terror strike has been postponed for the second time.
Sources in the Commission said on Tuesday that the Indian government had informed Islamabad that due to the Ganapathi festival, security situation would not be suitable and the courts would be closed on September 9, 10, 11 and 18.
The festival, which began on September 9, lasts for 10 days.
New dates will have to be given to facilitate the visit. Many of the lawyers, including the head of the Commission Chaudhury Mohammed Azhar, had sought adjournments for their own cases for a week since they were leaving for Mumbai on Wednesday.
A Commission member, who did not wish to be quoted, said, “Our flights were confirmed and we were ready to leave tomorrow but we learnt this morning that the visit has been delayed. It is also embarrassing for us.” Earlier, there was the issue of the renewal of passport of one of the court employees. However, even his passport had been renewed in time. Now the Commission will await fresh dates and approvals for its visit.
