Despite the fact that PML-N is continuing its protest inside the house against Prime Minister Gilani, the National Assembly on Friday passed the National Commission for Human Rights Bill 2012. As is mentioned in the statement of objects and reasons, the formation of the proposed commission would not only fulfil the international obligations of setting up such a body but it shall also serve as a driving force for balancing reports in the world media of human rights violations in Pakistan. Article 14 and 15 of the National Commission provides that the heads of armed forces and security agencies would be answerable to the Commission for alleged human rights violations by their personnel. The question arises whether the proposed Commission would be powerful enough to carry out its operations. Such commissions were established in the past, the latest being the one under the leadership of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal. It is an open secret that these commissions are doomed for multiple reasons. Currently the three-member Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is in Quetta hearing the missing persons’ case. The Bench summoned the Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Sector Commander of an intelligence agency. Instead of appearing before the Bench they preferred to call on the President in Islamabad. The general impression is that when the government obfuscates an issue, it ends up establishing commissions after which the matter goes into cold storage.