Memogate scandal: Commission orders forensic test of Ijaz's Blackberry phone, computer

Islamabad, May 6 (ANI): The judicial commission probing the Memogate scandal will be sending its secretary to London to conduct forensic tests on Mansoor Ijaz's Blackberry phone and computer, prompting Husain Haqqani's counsel to boycott the commission proceedings.

The commission, headed by Justice Qazi Faiz Esa, directed its secretary Raja Jawad Abbas to travel to London to carry out forensic examination of Ijaz's phone allegedly used for receiving and transmitting communication in preparing alleged memo, reports The Express Tribune.

The commission said a forensic expert would carry out the test without any interference of the parties.

The secretary also requested the Supreme Court to provide an extension to the commission, as it is due to expire on May 12, 2012 and it is not known how long the expert will take to compile the forensic examinations report.

Meanwhile Husain Haqqani's counsel Sajid Tanoli, opposed the Commission's decision of conducting forensic examination, arguing that the examination should have been conducted during the cross examination of Mansoor Ijaz in London earlier in the year. The commission however rejected his request.

The commission also rejected the application of Tanoli in which he sought to enter into case records some documents including a reply from Blackberry manufacturer Research In Motion (RIM), and an additional medical certificate, on the grounds that they were unsigned and were photocopies of originals.

Earlier Mansoor Ijaz's counsel Akram Sheikh said his client is willing to provide his BlackBerry phones and computer to the commission for examination. (ANI)