A public inquiry in Pakistan is an official review by an inquiry tribunal of specific events or actions. Its purpose is to establish the facts and the causes of the subject matter of the inquiry, to fix responsibility and to make recommendations that may prevent the recurrence of undesirable events. An inquiry tribunal is not a civil or a criminal court of law, and the role of the tribunal is not to reach conclusions regarding the civil or criminal liability of any person involved in the subject matter of the tribunal. 1.7 By its very nature, the inquiry is investigative in its approach. It encourages an open, fair, efficient and transparent process. Every inquiry is unique, shaped by its mandate. While prior inquiries do provide guidance, each tribunal must design its own rules and procedures.