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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>The memogate case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1910633/the-memogate-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1910633/the-memogate-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 19 05:04:50 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Judiciary remained seized with this political case for eight long years]]>
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				<![CDATA[Remember memogate? The scandal that had whipped up a terrible political storm in the country some eight years back, with allegations of treason reaching all the way up to the then President, Asif Ali Zardari.

The scandal, surrounding a memo that had a triggered a serious civil-military rift, had been taken to the Supreme Court in 2011 by none other than Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the opposition then — a day after it had forced the resignation of Hussain Haqqani, Pakistan’s ambassador to the US at that time.

The top court had formed a judicial commission to probe the case, and the commission concluded that it was ‘incontrovertibly established’ that Haqqani had written a memo addressing a high-ranking American official and seeking the US president’s help for the civilian government against the military because of the domestic turmoil triggered by the US raid that killed al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden in May 2011.

Even though the judicial commission had recommended that Haqqani be called back to Pakistan though Interpol to face likely charges of treason, the former ambassador continued to enjoy life as usual in the US, and the case seemed to have been discarded to the cold storage. It was only on February 1, 2018 that the case was revived with the constitution of a three-member bench by the top court.

There may have been a couple of hearings in the case since then, but only to have gone unnoticed for reasons quite obvious. And on Thursday, February 14, it was time for the eight-year-old case to be wrapped up. Heading the bench, Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa remarked “why should we waste our time” in a case which had even been abandoned by its petitioners.

The fact, however, is that the judiciary remained seized with this political case for eight long years — obviously at the expense of countless other cases that truly merited the court’s attention.

Precious time of the top court was wasted in trying to fix responsibility for writing a memo which has been found insignificant by Justice Khosa with remarks that the state of Pakistan is ‘not so fragile’ as to be ‘rattled by a memo’.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2019.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>SC orders govt to take necessary steps for Haqqani's repatriation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1742988/sc-orders-govt-take-necessary-steps-haqqanis-repatriation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1742988/sc-orders-govt-take-necessary-steps-haqqanis-repatriation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 18 11:52:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hasnaat Mailk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1742988</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Justice Nisar gives two weeks to frame rules to enable FIA to approach foreign authorities]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday directed the government to take necessary steps to bring the country's former envoy to the United States back to Pakistan.

During the hearing of the Memogate case the three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, passed the instructions in regards to Hussain Haqqani.

Ahmar Bilal Sufi, an amicus in the Memogate case, recommended that relevant rules should be framed to enable direct access for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to approach US authorities regarding Haqqani's repatriation.

Sufi added that there is a need for structural reforms so that FIA could be empowered to approach foreign authorities through Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) for the repatriation of criminals from abroad.

Justice Nisar observed that Haqqani submitted an undertaking that he would return to Pakistan. The bench granted two weeks to both the FIA and Sufi to frame rules and submit a draft.

FIA contacts Interpol for red notice against Haqqani

On May 2, Interpol sought additional information to justify the issuance of a red notice against Haqqani. FIA Director General Bashir Memon submitted a fresh report in the apex court regarding his efforts to bring Haqqani back to Pakistan.

The report stated that a request was sent to the Interpol Secretariat General (IPSG) on April 9 for the issuance of a red notice as a result of an FIR against him regarding the misappropriation and fraudulent withdrawal of $4,127,389 from the government fund from May 28, 2008, to November 23, 2011.

Interpol dismisses Islamabad's overtures for Hussain Haqqani's arrest warrant

In February, it was reported that the FIA had decided to register a case against Haqqani over charges of embezzlement.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Legal options being weighed to bring Haqqani back</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1674529/memogate-legal-options-weighed-bring-haqqani-back</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1674529/memogate-legal-options-weighed-bring-haqqani-back#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Apr 18 03:31:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hasnaat Mailk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1674529</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Govt to approach Interpol or place a formal request to US for ex-envoy’s extradition]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has decided to initiate legal proceedings for extradition of former ambassador to United States Hussain Haqqani as the Supreme Court has given a week’s deadline to the federal government for bringing him back.

A senior official told The Express Tribune that legal minds were considering different options for Haqqani’s extradition, adding that apparently two options were under consideration, which would be used in the future.

“Firstly, efforts will be made to bring him back through Interpol. Secondly, a direct request will be made to the US for his extradition,” he added.

It has been learnt that that an international law firm would also be contacted to get proper legal advice regarding his extradition.

For meeting extradition requirements through Interpol, the official said, an FIR had been registered against Haqqani over misappropriation of $2 million from the national exchequer every year.

“After the conclusion of investigation and submission of challan, the court will issue summons and then the arrest warrant. The warrant will be executable outside Pakistan,” he said, adding that the request for extradition would be made to Interpol, and the attorney general for Pakistan would request the US Justice Department for assistance.

“Pakistan will make a formal request to the US regarding Haqqani’s extradition, but if the plea is not accepted then formal legal proceedings will be initiated,” he said, adding that a government team would visit the US soon for the purpose.

Top court seeks plan to bring Haqqani back

Renowned lawyer Barrister Farogh Nasim also endorsed the legal option for bringing Haqqani back to the country.

“There is an extradition agreement between Pakistan and the US. In view of this agreement, a request can be made for extradition and if it is denied then the government can file a case in US local court for implementation of the extradition treaty,” he said.

Barrister Nasim described it as a “theoretical option” but said that he was not sure how effective it would be in achieving the aim.

A senior lawyer with expertise in international affairs said, “There is a need to understand whether Haqqani has committed an extraditable offence. Disloyalty to the state does not come within that ambit as it is a ‘political offence’.”

He said it also depended on whether he and his wife possessed US nationality.

The senior lawyer believes that Pakistan should carefully use its legal options as any untoward move may embarrass the country.

“If the extradition is refused, then it will bring a bad name to the country. Therefore, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar should show restraint in this matter,” he added.

Another senior government official admitted that resources were required to utilise these options.

Zardari absolved of charges

The memogate commission, led by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, has absolved former president Asif Ali Zardari of authorising the preparation of the memorandum.

Memogate case: SC summons officials for Husain Haqqani's return

“No evidence was produced before us that indicated that Zardari had either authorised the preparation of memorandum or directed it to be sent to the American administration,” stated the report, which was compiled by incumbent judges of the Supreme Court, Justice Isa, Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman – the last mentioned having retired now.

A 121-page report was submitted by the commission on June 4, 2012.

The report stated, “It is our view that Haqqani led Mansoor Ijaz to believe that the memorandum had the authority of Asif Ali Zardari, (the then) President of Pakistan.”

The report stated that it had been incontrovertibly established that the memorandum was authentic and Haqqani was the originator and the architect of it. Haqqani had sought American help as he wanted to create a niche for himself, making himself indispensable to the Americans.

It also stated that Haqqani’s acts created fissures in Pakistani politics and were acts of disloyalty to Pakistan that contravened the Constitution of Pakistan.

“There can be no two views that terrorism must be contested, terrorism be fought, nuclear proliferation be opposed, civilians (and not the military) determine foreign policy and the ship of the state guided by civilian hands at the helm; however, what is not acceptable is for Pakistan’s ambassador to beseech a foreign government to run our affairs,” said the report, which is available with The Express Tribune.

PPP demands apology from Nawaz Sharif over Memogate confession

The commission said that during Haqqani’s tenure as ambassador to US, he received $8 million but refused to submit any information about the utilisation of the fund.

It is pertinent to mention that the memogate case was brought to the Supreme Court by deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Now, Sharif is of the view that it was a mistake to approach the apex court.]]>
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			<title>Hussain Haqqani booked for 'causing harm' to national security</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1665758/hussain-haqqani-booked-causing-harm-national-security</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1665758/hussain-haqqani-booked-causing-harm-national-security#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 18 13:18:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1665758</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[An FIR registered in Karachi states that the former envoy to US made anti-state remarks during TV talk-shows]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The police registered an FIR against former ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani for allegedly causing harm to national security.

Haqqani was implicated in the memogate scandal when he allegedly had a memo delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen through Mansoor Ijaz. The memo had offered greater government cooperation in return for US backing against the powerful military in the immediate aftermath of the May 2 raid which led to the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden.

On Wednesday, the FIR was registered in Karachi’s Preedy police station on the request of advocate Maulvi Iqbal Haider. It stated that the former envoy made anti-state remarks during recent interviews with television talk shows in the US.  The applicant said that Haqqani’s statements undermined national security and challenged the country’s sovereignty.

“Haqqani deliberately issued venomous remarks on Pakistan, its forces and the Kashmir cause,” read the FIR.

The complainant advocate told The Express Tribune that he had approached the police on March 7, however the police delayed registering the case.

Memogate case: SC summons officials for Husain Haqqani’s return

“I was in the high court when I heard Haqqani’s remarks against the solidarity and integrity of Pakistan. Being a Pakistani, I decided to register a case against him,” advocate Haider said. “I provided the police with evidence [interview copies] as the police initially refused to register a case, demanding evidence against him [Haqqani].”

He further said that he had also approached higher police authorities for filing a case against Haqqani and finally, the police registered a case.

“I warned them of involving all as facilitators if they continued to use delaying tactics,” said Haider while stating that it was his responsibility to register the case and it is now the police’s duty to investigate and punish the accused according to law.

On the other hand, police officials contradicted Haider’s allegations saying that the case was registered against legal consultation. “No delay tactics were being used while the case was being thoroughly checked before registration of a case,” said SHO Liaquat Hayat. “Now the case has been transferred to the investigation wing for further investigations.”

In February, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was considering registering a case against Haqqani.

Additional Attorney General Waqar Rana had submitted before a Supreme Court’s three-judge bench that the agency was considering filing an FIR against Haqqani on the basis of different offences. In addition, the FIA had written to the Interpol requesting the issuance of red warrants but the agency had raised certain queries.]]>
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			<title>Memogate case: SC issues Hussain Haqqani's arrest warrant</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1635609/memogate-case-sc-issues-hussain-haqqanis-arrest-warrant</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1635609/memogate-case-sc-issues-hussain-haqqanis-arrest-warrant#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Feb 18 09:14:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hasnaat Mailk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1635609</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[DG FIA stated process regarding issuance of red warrant has been initiated]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Thursday issued warrant for the arrest of former ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani in the Memogate case.

A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, issued the orders while taking up the Memogate case.

Additional Attorney General Waqar Rana submitted a report suggesting ways for bringing Haqqani back to Pakistan. He said that American authorities also had been contacted in this regard.

Memogate case: SC summons officials for Husain Haqqani's return

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Bashir Memon said, “A request has also been sent to Interpol regarding issuance of a red warrant.”

Haqqani was implicated in the Memogate case when he allegedly had a memo delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen through Mansoor Ijaz. The memo had offered greater government cooperation in return for US backing against the powerful military in the immediate aftermath of the May 2 raid which led to the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden. Earlier, Haqqani had dismissed reports of the infamous Memogate case being reopened as a ‘political gimmick’ on part of the apex court.

The same bench also ordered the arrest of former Evacuee Property Trust Board chairman Asif Hashmi, who is involved in corruption of billions of rupees and has fled the country. The bench asked FIA to arrest him.

Meanwhile, the three-judge bench also formed a committee consisting of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor, Federal Board of Revenue chairman and finance secretary for suggesting guidelines to bring money back from foreign accounts in view of the suo motu order.

CJP remarks on Memogate a 'political gimmick': Hussain Haqqani

The bench gave one week to the committee for completing all the work. The committee has been granted authority for obtaining services of any government department official if required and can approach any department as well.

SBP Governor Tariq Bajwa told the bench that Pakistan has signed a treaty with the Swiss government for sharing information of Pakistani citizens who opened bank accounts there. The Swiss authorities will share information in this regard in December 2018.

Likewise, the government of United Arab Emirates has also started providing information about Pakistanis who have properties abroad.

The CJP said that they do not want to create panic as the departments can use multiple ways for bringing looted money back to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the bench was told that out of 444 people whose names were revealed in the Panamagate papers, 78 people have yet to be traced out. The FBR has issued notices to 293 individuals.

The FBR chairman informed that Rs6.6 billion has been recovered from two people. They have also decided to issue notice to 10 individuals who did not show the exact worth of their properties situated abroad. The court also asked the FBR whether they asked the people how they bought properties abroad in the first place.

Earlier, the bench while passing an initial order had noted that the economy of the country was being bled by illegal and surreptitious theft of national wealth stashed in foreign countries.

The suo motu order said that the same money could otherwise be utilised for the welfare of the people in projects such as education, health and public welfare.

Such delinquency constituted violation of fundamental rights of citizens of Pakistan and was a matter of great public importance, it stated.

“Prima facie, it appears that such money is siphoned off without the payment of taxes through illegal channels and represents either ill-gotten gains or kickbacks from public contracts. Such money creates gross disproportion, inequality and disparity in the society, which warps economic activity and growth, and constitutes plunder and theft of national wealth,” stated the suo motu order.

The court also noted that recently, the names of a large number of Pakistani citizens were disclosed in the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers. The FBR chairman had appeared before the court and made a statement that appropriate action was being initiated against the citizens whose names had appeared in the papers. However, no appreciable progress appears to have been made in this regard.

The SBP, FBR, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and the Ministry of Finance were also asked to submit report about steps taken, in collaboration with other state institutions, for retrieval of the said money.

The FBR was directed to submit a report providing details of the steps taken on the basis of information available, inter alia, through Panama Papers and Paradise Papers and the action taken against citizens holding properties and banks accounts in foreign countries, said the order.]]>
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			<title>CJP remarks on Memogate a 'political gimmick': Hussain Haqqani</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1627543/cjp-remarks-memogate-political-gimmick-hussain-haqqani</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1627543/cjp-remarks-memogate-political-gimmick-hussain-haqqani#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 18 11:23:40 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former ambassador to US says he cannot be summoned back to the country by some 'wise, old man']]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former ambassador of Pakistan to Sri Lanka and the United States Hussain Haqqani has dismissed reports of the infamous Memogate case being reopened as a 'political gimmick' on part of the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan, according to Express News.

"I will not come to Pakistan on the insistence of babay rehmatay [wise, old man]," the former ambassador was quoted as saying.

In a statement issued recently, Haqqani remarked that after Iftikhar Chaudhry, four top SC judges had come and gone, and none of them had taken up the memogate reference.

Former ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani booked in Kohat over anti-state propaganda

"These babay rehmatay have no authority [compared to Pakistan] in the rest of the world," Haqqani stated.

Questioning the authority of a three-member SC bench which will reportedly reopen the memogate case, Haqqani noted that a nine-member top court bench had been formed when the case was brought to trial in 2009.

"Why is a three member bench hearing the case now?" he asked.

"It has been six years since a petition to review legal anomalies in the memogate reference has been pending in the SC, will the top court ever hold a hearing in that case?" he added further.

The former ambassador also stressed that in the 2009 court decision on the matter, judges had referenced 2003 laws in their ruling, which had been suspended at the time.

Parliamentary commission proposed to investigate Haqqani's article

Earlier, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had sought the details of the memogate reference while conducting a hearing into a case regarding overseas Pakistanis.

"Hussain Haqqani should come back to Pakistan to face charges on the matter," the top judge had said in his remarks during the hearing.

Haqqani was implicated in the memogate scandal when he allegedly had a memo delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen through Mansoor Ijaz. The memo had offered greater government cooperation in return for US backing against the powerful military in the immediate aftermath of the May 2 raid which led to the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Court orders government to bring back Haqqani</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/559003/memogate-court-orders-government-to-bring-back-haqqani</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/559003/memogate-court-orders-government-to-bring-back-haqqani#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 05 Jun 13 06:10:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former envoy to US was allowed to leave Pakistan in 2012 on commitment to return.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A larger bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the federal government to have recourse to all legal and constitutional measures to bring back Hussain Haqqani to Pakistan.


Haqqani a former ambassador to USA is facing proceedings in the apex court for writing a memorandum to Admiral Mike Mullen seeking US intervention alleging that the Pakistan Army intended to topple then PPP government in the aftermath of May 1, 2011 US raid in Abbottabad to kill Osama bin Laden.

Heading a nine-judge bench of the SC Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry noted in his order, “As Haqqani has not fulfilled his commitment therefore we direct the federal interior secretary to adopt all the constitutional and legal steps to bring back him in the country.”

Haqqani was allowed to leave Pakistan on January 30 2012 only after he committed to the SC that he would return whenever the court required.

Advocate Asma Jahangir representing Haqqani said her client was afraid to come to Pakistan.

“As one of the petitioners against Haqqani, Mian Nawaz Sharif is going to become the next prime minister, my client fears for his life,” she said.



Responding to the question raised by the bench that why the former ambassador had not been fulfilling his commitment, Asma said “he (Haqqani) was paranoid and I could not convince him to return to Pakistan from USA.”

The chief justice observed that the country was being governed by the constitution and irrespective of the fact whosoever was in power the cases of all citizens were to be dealt in accordance with the law.

Earlier during the proceedings, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa said that here the question was the dignity of the court, adding Haqqani’s undertaking was the commitment with the court.

Asma Jahangir argued that so far Haqqani had not violated the law, adding the undertaking given by her client was in altogether different scenario and insisted why Mansoor Ijaz was given special treatment and when Haqqani demanded that facility the judicial commission inquiring the memo scandal refused.

Mansoor Ijaz is the Pakistani-American businessman who forwarded the memo to Admiral Mullen. Ijaz wrote about the incident in an article in the Financial Times in October 2011.

After the short order the bench adjourned the hearing for four weeks.

Following a set of petitions the SC on December 1, 2011 constituted a judicial commission headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Chief Justice Balochistan High Court and comprising Justice Iqbal Hameed-ur-Rehman, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court, and Justice Mushir Alam, Chief Justice Sindh High Court to probe the authenticity and purpose of drafting of memo for delivering it to chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.

The commission in its findings held, “It has been incontrovertibly established that the memorandum was authentic and Haqqani, former ambassador of Pakistan in USA, was its originator and architect. Haqqani sought American help; he also wanted to create a niche for himself making himself forever indispensable to the Americans. He lost sight of the fact that he is a Pakistani citizen and Pakistan’s ambassador to the USA, and therefore his loyalty could only be to Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: SC directs govt to use all legal measures to bring Haqqani back</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/558653/memogate-case-sc-orders-haqqani-to-appear-within-4-weeks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/558653/memogate-case-sc-orders-haqqani-to-appear-within-4-weeks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 04 Jun 13 06:13:12 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[mudassir.raja]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=558653</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[All legal, constitutional measures to be used to bring former Pakistan Ambassador back to the country.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A larger bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the federal government to use all legal and constitutional measures to bring Hussain Haqqani back to Pakistan.

Haqqani a former ambassador to USA is facing proceedings in the apex court for allegedly writing a memorandum to Admiral Mike Mullen seeking US intervention alleging that the Pakistan Army intended to topple the then PPP government in the aftermath of May 1, 2010 US raid in Abbottabad to kill Osama bin Laden.

Heading a nine-member bench of Supreme Court judges, the SC Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry noted in his order, “As Haqqani has not fulfilled his commitment therefore we direct federal interior secretary to adopt all the constitutional and legal steps to bring back him in the country.”

Haqqani was allowed to leave Pakistan on January 30, 2012 only after he committed to the SC that he would return whenever the court required.

Advocate Asma Jahangir, representing Haqqani, said her client was afraid to come back to the country on account of threats to his life.

“As one of the petitioners against Haqqani, Mian Nawaz Sharif is going to become the next prime minister, my client fears for his life,” she said.

Responding to the question raised by the bench that why the former ambassador had not been fulfilling his commitment, Asma said “he (Haqqani) was paranoid and I could not convince him to return to Pakistan from USA.”

The chief justice observed that the country was being governed by the Constitution and irrespective of the fact whosoever was in power, cases of all citizens were to be dealt in accordance with the law.

Earlier during the proceeding Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa a member of the bench said that here the question was the dignity of the court, adding Haqqani’s undertaking was the commitment with the court.

Asma Jahangir argued that so far Haqqani had not violated the law adding the undertaking given by her client was in altogether different scenario and insisted why Mansoor Ijaz was given special treatment her client was refused similar facility by the judicial commission inquiring into the memo scandal.

Mansoor Ijaz is the Pakistani-American businessman who forwarded the memo to Admiral Mullen. Ijaz wrote about the incident in an article in Financial Times in October 2011.

After the short order the bench adjourned the hearing for four weeks.

Following the a set of petitions the SC on December 1, 2011 constituted a judicial commission headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Chief Justice Balochistan High Court and comprised of Justice Iqbal Hameed-ur-Rehman, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court, Justice Mushir Alam Chief Justice Sindh High Court to probe the authenticity and purpose of drafting of memo for delivering it to chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.

The commission in its findings held, “It has been incontrovertibly established that the memorandum was authentic and Haqqani, former ambassador of Pakistan in USA, was its originator and architect. Haqqani sought American help; he also wanted to create a niche for himself making himself forever indispensable to the Americans. He lost sight of the fact that he is a Pakistani citizen and Pakistan’s ambassador to the USA, and therefore his loyalty could only be to Pakistan.”]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Nine member larger bench to be formed for June 4 hearing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/556988/memogate-nine-member-larger-bench-to-be-formed-for-june-4-hearing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/556988/memogate-nine-member-larger-bench-to-be-formed-for-june-4-hearing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 31 May 13 09:30:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The court had resumed hearings on May 11 after a five week recess.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court of Pakistan announced the formation of a nine-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in the Memogate case, reported Express News on Friday.

The court also announced June 4 as the date for the next hearing in the case.

The court had resumed hearings on May 11 after a five week recess of the case where former ambassador to US, Hussain Haqqani was implicated in a scandal in which he allegedly had a memo delivered through Mansoor Ijaz to top US Admiral Mike Mullen offering greater cooperation against the Pakistan military in the aftermath of the Abbottabad raid on May 2, 2011.

Haqqani denied any such involvement and resigned in protest.

During last month’s hearing, Asma Jehangir had submitted a letter that she wrote to the interior ministry with regards to her client’s security. She informed that Haqqani cannot appear before the court in person due to security concerns.

The court had given Haqqani one last chance to be present at the next hearing, which will now be on June 4.

“Hussain Haqqani must be present at the next hearing under any circumstances, otherwise legal action will be taken”, said the chief justice.]]>
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			<title>Non-appearance: SC warns Haqqani of passport cancellation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/519461/non-appearance-sc-warns-haqqani-of-passport-cancellation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/519461/non-appearance-sc-warns-haqqani-of-passport-cancellation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 13 06:42:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Haqqani is paranoid of the prevalent security threats in Pakistan: Lawyer]]>
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				<![CDATA[Hussain Haqqani, the former Pakistani ambassador to United States, has expressed total mistrust in the government and said he will not come back to Pakistan despite assurances of foolproof security.   


“Haqqani is paranoid of the prevalent security threats in Pakistan and has conveyed to me that he is not returning to Pakistan,” his lawyer Asma Jahangir told a nine-member bench of the Supreme Court on Monday at the resumption of the Memogate hearing.

She said she was satisfied with the steps proposed by the federal government over his security concerns and conveyed the message to Haqqani.

Earlier, Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir said the federal interior secretary had assured him and Jahangir that VVIP level security would be provided to the former ambassador if he returned to Pakistan.

“If Haqqani does not return as he has filed an undertaking in the Supreme Court, the coercive measures provided in the law will be resorted to, such as cancellation of the passport,” observed Chaudhry.

Giving Haqqani three weeks in which to appear before the court, the bench adjourned the hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: No faith in govt's security promise, says Haqqani's counsel</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/519078/memogate-no-faith-in-govts-security-says-haqqanis-counsel</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/519078/memogate-no-faith-in-govts-security-says-haqqanis-counsel#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 13 08:31:49 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Court tells Haqqani to appear before it in person within three weeks &quot;under any circumstances&quot; or face legal action.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A sovereign guarantee of security was rejected by former Pakistan Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani's counsel in the Memogate case even as the court ordered that he return to Pakistan within three weeks or face legal action, Express News reported on Monday.

The court had resumed hearings on Monday after a five week recess of the case where former ambassador to US was implicated in a scandal in which he allegedly had a memo delivered through Mansoor Ijaz to top US Admiral Mike Mullen offering greater cooperation against the Pakistan military in the aftermath of the Abbottabad raid on May 2, 2011. Haqqani denied any such involvement and resigned in protest.

As a larger bench heard the case, the attorney general assured Haqqani that he will be given “fool-proof, VIP security” upon his return since the matter of security was projected as a hindrance from appearing in court earlier last month.

The former ambassador's counsel Asma Jehangir rejected this offer and said that they did not have faith in the government’s promise.

During last month’s hearing, Asma Jehangir had submitted a letter that she wrote to the interior ministry with regards to her client’s security. She informed that Haqqani cannot appear before the court in person due to security concerns.

Jehangir further said Haqani had been receiving threats via social media and asked the concerned authorities to investigate the matter.

The court has given Haqqani one last chance to be present at the next hearing, in three weeks time.

“Hussain Haqqani must be present at the next hearing under any circumstances, otherwise legal action will be taken”, said the chief justice.

The court’s message will be delivered to Haqqani through the Pakistan Embassy.]]>
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			<title>Haqqani accuses Imran, Sheikh Rashid for inciting ‘extremist’ supporters against him</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/506195/haqqani-accuses-imran-sheikh-rashid-for-inciting-extremist-supporters-against-him</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/506195/haqqani-accuses-imran-sheikh-rashid-for-inciting-extremist-supporters-against-him#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 13 07:06:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=506195</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Accuses Imran, Sheikh Rashid for sharing 'public stage with groups, leaders described internationally as...]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani accused Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed for inciting their “supporters in jihadist terrorist organisations” against him.

Haqqani had written a letter to the interior secretary regarding the arrangements made for his security in Pakistan. He had left the country after being allowed by the Supreme Court in the Memogate case. He though has cited threats to his life as a reason for refusing to return.

The Supreme Court bench, hearing the case, has ordered the interior secretary to finalise Haqqani’s security arrangements so he can return to the country and appear before the court.

In his letter, Haqqani stated that Imran, “who claims to speak for Pakistan’s establishment”, has publicly declared him a traitor while Sheikh Rashid called him “ghaddar ibne ghaddar” on national television.

He accused Imran and Sheikh Rashid for sharing the “public stage with groups and leaders described internationally as terrorists”.

“Their pronouncements are, therefore, seen as potential incitement to their supporters in jihadist terrorist organisations to eliminate me as a voice for a liberal and tolerant Pakistan and for Pakistan’s continued alliance with the United States of America,” Haqqani maintained.

He questioned why the elements responsible for 'demonising' him have not been rebuked by a judicial authority or investigated by the executive “so that their followers may no longer pose a threat to my person based on false assumptions”.

Read the complete letter here.
Correction: An earlier version of this article had incorrectly implied that Husain Haqqani had fled the country. The error has been made. ]]>
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			<title>Memogate: SC orders interior secretary to arrange security for Haqqani</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/506188/memogate-sc-orders-interior-secretary-to-arrange-security-for-haqqani</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/506188/memogate-sc-orders-interior-secretary-to-arrange-security-for-haqqani#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 13 06:40:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bench expresses displeasure over secretary’s absence from the court during the hearing.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court ordered the interior secretary to finalise security arrangements for former envoy Husain Haqqani while hearing the Memogate case on Tuesday, reported Express News.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heading an eight-member bench, ordered the interior secretary to report to the court after finalising the security arrangements. The bench also expressed displeasure over the secretary’s absence from the court during the hearing.

The secretary was also asked to talk to Haqqani regarding his arrival to Pakistan, his residence and his security concerns, and hold talks with the government and law enforcement agencies on the matter.

The hearing was adjourned till March 11.

Haqqani was implicated in a scandal in which he had a memo delivered to top US Admiral Mike Mullen offering greater cooperation against the Pakistan military in the aftermath of the Abbottabad raid on May 2, 2011. Haqqani denied any such involvement and resigned in protest.

During the last hearing of the case, Haqqani’s counsel Asma Jahangir submitted a letter to the interior ministry which said that her client was avoiding travel to Pakistan over security concerns which barred him from appearing in court.

In its short order, the court had asked the interior secretary to explain why the ministry had failed to ensure Haqqani’s safe return to Pakistan.

Letter to interior secretary

Haqqani also sent a letter to the interior secretary through his counsel, questioning the interior ministry about his security arrangements.

Haqqani, in a copy of the letter received by The Express Tribune, stated, “A number of self-appointed guardians of Pakistan’s integrity and ideology have targeted me and routinely send me threatening messages by email, twitter and on phone.”

He added that the authorities in the US have also repeatedly investigated the threats he was receiving. But “has the [interior] ministry investigated these threats or contacted US authorities in relation to these threats?” he questioned.

The former envoy also maintained that he has not been charged or tried in the Memogate case, but a general impression has been created that he has been found guilty of some crime which makes him a “a very likely target of hyper-nationalist vigilantes of which many are currently active all over Pakistan including within the security services”.

“Have any investigations been conducted to ensure that such vigilantes would not pose a threat to me if and when I come to Pakistan?” he further questioned.

Read the complete letter here.]]>
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			<title>Lingering but futile</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504563/lingering-but-futile</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504563/lingering-but-futile#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 Feb 13 18:57:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[amina.jilani]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Supreme Court should hear thousands of pending cases instead of issuing notices, such as the one summoning Haqqani.]]>
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				<![CDATA[There are matters, futile matters that linger on and on when it seems clear that no permanent solution can be reached. The most honourable Supreme Court is one such body that sometimes pursues futile issues with terrier-like intensity.

One issue that will not go away pertains to Husain Haqqani, widely acknowledged as this government’s former, most effective envoy to the United States. That was until November 2011 when the ‘Memogate’ scandal cum excitement aroused by one, Mansoor Ijaz, brought him back to the homeland to hand in his resignation.

Haqqani filed a detailed statement with the Parliamentary Committee on National Security. The Supreme Court sprang into action and on December 30, 2011, formed an inquiry commission before which Haqqani appeared on January 9, 2012. On January 30, he gave an assurance to the Supreme Court that he would appear before it “when needed” and was allowed to leave the country on January 31 2012.

Subsequent events and the media attitude (dubbed a traitor etc.), plus that of the commission and the Supreme Court, have made his return a dicey proposition due to the current environment in Pakistan. In fact, there is no one (not even the head of state) who can ensure him that there is no Mumtaz Qadri waiting for him in the wings — he has been subjected to multiple death threats. He has settled in the US, where he is a professor at Boston University and he has made it eminently clear that he is not returning when summoned unless, there is a radical change in the national mindset.

But the Supreme Court insists that he appear before it. In a letter, dated December 27, 2012, addressed to the interior secretary of the Government of Pakistan, Haqqani has detailed valid reasons why his return in not feasible. This letter brought forth two news reports in the US, in The Washington Times and The Wall Street Journal published on January 29, 2013, after it had been read out in the Supreme Court on January 28 by Haqqani’s dauntless counsel, Asma Jahangir, who remarked that the Court is “encouraging investigations from the top-down rather than the bottom-up”.

One sentence from this letter reads: “Which law enforcement agency or security organisation can guarantee that their personnel will not be affected by this negative propaganda against me in an environment wherein people are being killed for their religious beliefs and even children administering polio vaccine to infants as volunteers are not safe from ideologically-driven maniacs.”

And who is to deny that this country harbours a great many murderous “ideologically-driven maniacs”, adherents to their own brand of warped ideology.

Even though Haqqani has not been charged or tried, a general impression has been created that though not convicted, he has been found guilty of a crime against the state, thus ensuring that he is a likely target for — as he puts it — “hyper-nationalist vigilantes” who are currently active all over Pakistan, including within the security services. With his adamant refusal to return and the impossibility of enforcing a return, what does the honourable Supreme Court hope to gain by insisting on his appearance? Those who wanted him out of his ambassadorial post achieved their aim in November 2011. The Court can try charging him with contempt or even order the registration of an FIR against him for treason based on the commission’s report. But in both cases, there is little chance that authorities outside Pakistan will carry out the Court’s order.

There is little to be gained by insisting that he return to Pakistan and no legal way of forcing him to do so. So, would the Supreme Court not be wiser to do as did Admiral Mike Mullen, to whom the famous memo was addressed, and file it away (Mullen’s reaction was that it is “probably not credible”), get on with hearing the thousands of pending cases before it and forget about sending out such notices.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Memogate scandal: Get Haqqani in court even if force required: SC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/500099/memogate-scandal-get-haqqani-in-court-even-if-force-required-sc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/500099/memogate-scandal-get-haqqani-in-court-even-if-force-required-sc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 13 08:41:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=500099</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Asma Jahangir says her client was not returning to Pakistan over social media threats.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former envoy Husain Haqqani’s presence in court should be ensured “even if it requires the use of force,” said Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.


Haqqani was implicated in a scandal in which he had a memo delivered to top US Admiral Mike Mullen offering greater cooperation against the Pakistan military in the aftermath of the Abbottabad raid on May 2, 2011. Haqqani denied any such involvement and resigned in protest.

During the hearing on Monday, Haqqani’s counsel Asma Jahangir submitted a letter to the interior ministry which said that her client was avoiding travel to Pakistan over security concerns which barred him from appearing in court.

Jahangir revealed that the former ambassador to the US was receiving threats via social media and had asked the authorities to investigate. The counsel said that she “could not remove this security threat phobia from Haqqani’s mind”.



Furthermore, she was critical that the Supreme Court had not ordered any special security arrangements to escort her threatened client to court.

In its short order, the court had asked the interior secretary to explain why the ministry had failed to ensure Haqqani’s safe return to Pakistan. The hearing was adjourned till February 12.

Monday’s hearing was held on time: January 28 was given as the date of the next hearing on December 23.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Haqqani must appear before court, says CJ</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499673/memogate-haqqani-must-appear-before-court-says-cj</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499673/memogate-haqqani-must-appear-before-court-says-cj#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 13 09:18:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499673</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[&quot;Husain Haqqani should be brought to court even if it requires the use of force.&quot;]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Hearing the Memogate case on Monday, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said former envoy to the United States Husain Haqqani should be brought to court even if it requires the use of force, Express News reported.

A Supreme Court larger bench, headed by the chief justice, heard the case today.

Former Pakistan ambassador to US was implicated in the scandal where he allegedly had a memo delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen through Mansoor Ijaz. The memo had offered greater government cooperation in return for US backing against the powerful military in the immediate aftermath of the May 2 raid.

During the hearing, Haqqani’s counsel Asma Jehangir submitted a letter written to the interior ministry with regards to her client’s security.

She informed the court that Haqqani cannot appear before the court due to security concerns.

Jehangir further said the former ambassador to the US has been receiving threats via social media and asked the concerned authorities to investigate the matter.

In its short order, the court asked the interior secretary to explain why it has failed to ensure Haqqani’s safe return to Pakistan.

The hearing was adjourned till February 12.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: SC tells Asma to brief interior secretary on Haqqani's security arrangements</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/464962/memogate-sc-tells-asma-to-brief-interior-secretary-on-haqqanis-security-arrangements</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/464962/memogate-sc-tells-asma-to-brief-interior-secretary-on-haqqanis-security-arrangements#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 12 06:10:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=464962</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CJ tells interior secretary to submit report to SC's Registrar two weeks before hearing about security arrangements.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Hearing the Memogate case on Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed Asma Jehangir to guide the interior secretary as to what kind of security was required by her client, former envoy to the United States Husain Haqqani, Express News reported.

Briefing the judicial bench regarding Haqqani, Jehangir said that her client wanted to come to Pakistan, but was apprehensive due to the ongoing security situation of the country.

“Haqqani’s homecoming would be as if the prey throws himself before the hunters.”

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that one should not remark regarding the security situation of Pakistan, while staying in a foreign country. He further said that it was not like no one was given protection in Pakistan.

While conveying Haqqani’s reservations regarding his security, Jehangir said that the former envoy had asked why the state was “playing innocent” over providing him protection.

The chief justice directed the interior secretary to submit a report to the Registrar of the Supreme Court two weeks prior to the next hearing, confirming the security arrangements.

The court said that it will resume hearing in the month of January, however, did not give any date.

During Monday's hearing, the Supreme Court was displeased when former Haqqani defied its orders and did not appear before the court.

The chief justice said that Haqqani had left on a four-day notice after reassuring in writing that he would return.

Haqqani had earlier forwarded an application seeking review of the Supreme Court‘s earlier order that obligated him to appear in person.]]>
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			<title>Supreme Court pushes memogate case to November 12</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/455758/supreme-court-pushes-memogate-case-to-november-12</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/455758/supreme-court-pushes-memogate-case-to-november-12#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 12 14:13:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=455758</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Supreme Court issues notices for November 12 hearing instead of the previously announced date of November 5.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court of Pakistan will resume hearing of the infamous memogate scandal from November 12.

Earlier, the apex court had affixed hearings for October 22. However, due to the unavailability of the bench the date was pushed forward to November 5.

On Tuesday, however, the SC issued notices to all parties for a November 12 hearing instead of the previously announced date.

A nine-member larger bench led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will hear the controversial memo case in light of the memo commission’s findings.

Former Pakistan ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani was implicated in the scandal where he allegedly had a memo delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen through Mansoor Ijaz. The memo had offered greater government cooperation in return for US backing against the powerful military in the immediate aftermath of the May 2 raid.

A commission was formed with three high court judges at the helm to further probe the matter and ascertain the facts. The commission in its report did not find President Asif Ali Zardari to be involved.

The commission  however was challenged and Asma Jehangir, counsel for former ambassador Haqqani, had filed a review application. Haqqani, through another counsel had also raised serious objections to the working and line adopted in the report.]]>
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			<title>Husain Haqqani can’t be forced to come back: Legal experts</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/411578/husain-haqqani-can%e2%80%99t-be-forced-to-come-back-legal-experts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/411578/husain-haqqani-can%e2%80%99t-be-forced-to-come-back-legal-experts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jul 12 05:07:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qaiser.zulfiqar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=411578</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Say extradition will not be possible even if the SC demands it.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Top legal experts are convinced that former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani will not return to Pakistan in the wake of the damning Memo commission report, which squarely pinned the blame on him for authoring the seditious memo.


According to experts, Haqqani is well aware of the limited options before the Supreme Court in the case.

“I know him personally; he will not come,” said senior advocate Raza Kazim, adding: “Global realities are in favour of Haqqani – therefore he is safe.”

When asked by The Express Tribune what options were available to the court in case Haqqani’s requests of exempting him from hearings are turned down and he refuses to appear, Kazim replied, “The court can serve him, at maximum, with a contempt of court notice or it can ask the government to bring him back.” Beyond that, he argued, the options are limited.

Kazim added that the fate of the new Contempt of Court Act is yet to be decided by the court, but in the meantime, the government would not force him to come back – even if it was ordered to do so by the apex court.

The memo commission, comprising of three chief justices of the Balochistan, Sindh and Islamabad high courts, had submitted its findings in June on the memorandum sent to the then Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen through Gen (retd) James Logan Jones, former US National Security Advisor. The memo sought US help against the Pakistan Army.

Meanwhile, advocate Salman Akram Raja said, “The commission’s report is not worth more than an investigation by a low-ranking police official,” adding, “According to legal procedure, the Supreme Court will ask the government to register a sedition case against Haqqani.”

Raja said Haqqani will be tried in the trial court if the government registers a case against him on the apex court’s orders.

He was also of the opinion that if Haqqani refused to come back, the most the Supreme Court could do was to serve him a contempt of court notice.

Advocate Babar Sattar said that though the commission has submitted the report, Haqqani has not yet been convicted – an important difference because it means he is not an absconder yet and can, therefore, not be extradited.

Sattar also made it clear that no extradition treaty exists between the US and the Pakistani government, which makes the case for extradition even weaker.

Another senior advocate, Khalid Anwar, said that since the former ambassador to the US has strong ties with the US establishment, Washington was highly unlikely to cooperate with Islamabad if it requested Haqqani’s custody.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Memogate scandal: Haqqani seeks exemption from appearance in SC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409254/memogate-scandal-haqqani-seeks-exemption-from-appearance-in-sc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409254/memogate-scandal-haqqani-seeks-exemption-from-appearance-in-sc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 12 04:27:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=409254</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former ambassador’s life at risk in Pakistan, his counsel says.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani has forwarded an application seeking review of the Supreme Court‘s earlier order that obligated him to appear in person before the court in the Memogate scandal case.

Asma Jahangir, Haqqani’s counsel, has filed the application requesting the apex court to reconsider summoning Haqqani in person. She said her client was threatened by powerful forces within Pakistan, who do not hold any official authority in the country.

“At this stage, the physical presence of the respondent is not required. It is enormously risky for Haqqani to attend the hearing in person. Security of his life outweighs the requirement of him being physically present at the hearing,” she vehemently argued.

She requested the court to reconsider the order as under the jurisdiction of the criminal procedure code or the civil procedure code his physical presence was not mandatory.

A new job

Meanwhile, the former ambassador has joined a private government relations and lobbying firm Cassidy &amp; Associates as a senior advisor in the US.

A press release issued by Cassidy &amp; Associates stated that Haqqani’s appointment is a significant step in ensuring “the firm’s clients are protected and connected around the world.”

(Additional reporting by Huma Imtiaz from Washington)

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2012.

contempt law.

&nbsp;

In order to discuss this further, the court adjourned the hearing till July 31, 2012.

JIT issues fresh notices to Riaz

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has issued fresh notices to Riaz to appear before investigators probing the Dr Arsalan fiasco, according to an official statement.

The businessman requested NAB’s Joint Investigation Team (JIT) for a fresh date of appearance, sometime next week.

Hence, NAB issued a new summon for his appearance on July 19 (Thursday), added the statement.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Haqqani seeks exemption from physical appearance before bench</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409119/memogate-haqqani-seeks-exemption-from-physical-appearance-before-bench</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409119/memogate-haqqani-seeks-exemption-from-physical-appearance-before-bench#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 12 16:24:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=409119</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Counsel Asma Jahangir claims Haqqani faces life threat, that his presence is not necessary at this stage of hearings.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former Pakistan ambassador to Washington Husain Haqqani on Monday moved an application asking the Supreme Court to review its June 12 order which compels him to appear before the bench in the memo scandal case when asked for.

Asma Jahangir, the counsel for Haqqani, filed the application in the apex court under the apex court rules 1980 for reconsidering its June 12 order claiming her client had been threatened by powerful forces in Pakistan, who are not under the control of any authority in the country.

The Supreme Court had on July 12 given Haqqani a three-day notice for submitting an application to the court for reviewing its summoning orders.

The review petition is being filed in view of the developments which have taken place after Haqqani left for the United States in late January this year, his lawyer said. Jahangir said that her client had remained in Pakistan after his resignation as ambassador. She added that her client’s family was residing in the US but he remained in the country during the memo commission’s initial meetings.

“By the time, Husain Haqqani left Pakistan on an undertaking to return to Pakistan whenever required by the commission or the Supreme Court, there was no sign of the commission agreeing to travel abroad to record evidence nor was the commission contemplating securing evidence through video link. These suggestions were orally turned down by the commission,” said further said.

Asma also mentioned that Haqqani had also filed an application before the commission and then subsequently the Supreme Court for extending the same video link facility for recording his testimony as had been to Mansoor Ijaz, the chief character in the scandal. But, his request was rejected by the commission without any reason. “At this stage, the presence, in person, of respondent is not required and to ensure such a presence would enormously risky and outweigh by many bounds the requirement of his physical presence,” she added.

She requested the court to reconsider the June 12 order as under the law as laid down whether in the criminal procedure code or the civil procedure code, that the physical presence of Husain Haqqani, at this stage of the hearings, is not mandatory.

Haqqani has also moved a separate application seeking access to video tapes of evidence collected by the commission which had been tasked with determining who authored the unsigned memo delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Haqqani cites threat to life for court no-show</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/407663/memogate-haqqani-cites-threat-to-life-for-court-no-show</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/407663/memogate-haqqani-cites-threat-to-life-for-court-no-show#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 12 05:31:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=407663</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The bench granted time to Jahangir to submit within three days reasons for non-appearance of her client.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former Pakistan ambassador to Washington Husain Haqqani has contended that he might be killed on his return to Pakistan as he was painted as a criminal in the eyes of the general public.


In a letter to his counsel Asma Jahangir, submitted before the Supreme Court, he wrote: “There is no guarantee that I will not be killed by one of the many sources of threat to my life in Pakistan.”

Haqqani added that these include the operatives of several intelligence services with which sole accuser Mansoor Ijaz claims to have relations; extremists and terrorists who claim to have monopoly over being true Muslims and Pakistanis; commentators and commission members “questioning my loyalty to Pakistan” and members of the permanent state apparatus “who may have played a role in my ouster from the office of ambassador”.

He said his demonisation started when the Supreme Court, in its earlier order, barred him from travelling abroad after hearing petitions from politicians of a particular party.

Jahangir submitted the letter before a nine-judge larger bench of the apex court headed by Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan that resumed hearing of the memo commission report. Haqqani further complained that the media also painted him as a traitor, Pakistan’s Benedict Arnold and disloyal to Pakistan state.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Jahangir apprised the bench that there were cogent and explicit reasons for her client’s non-appearance. She said he had certain apprehensions. To the bench’s query, she replied that she had contacted authorities in Pakistan for security of his client but has not received any response yet.

The bench observed that Haqqani was already represented by a senior lawyer and for non-appearance the set procedure should be adopted. The bench granted time to Jahangir to submit within three days reasons for non-appearance of her client after overruling an objection of Barrister Zafarullah, one of the petitioners seeking Haqqani’s appearance before the bench. Haqqani was also allowed to submit a reply over the memo commission report within five days. The court asked Haqqani’s counsel that if she wanted to seek a review of the court’s earlier order regarding Haqqani, then she should file an application.

In his letter, Haqqani stated: Given the current mood and environment in the country, where individuals were burned alive on unproved charges of blasphemy and ethnic, political and sectarian killings are going unnoticed, “it is unreasonable to pressure me to return to respond to a political accusation”.

He further added that Pakisan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman, Imran Khan and Chief of Pakistan Awami League  Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had also publicly called him a traitor despite the fact that he has not been charged, tried or convicted of any crime under law.

Haqqani said that former governor of Punjab Salmaan Taseer  was also killed by one of his guards because of the false propaganda against him and under an orchestrated media trial.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Haqqani given 3-day deadline to submit plea seeking summoning review</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/407265/memogate-haqqani-given-3-day-deadline-to-submit-plea-seeking-summoning-review</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/407265/memogate-haqqani-given-3-day-deadline-to-submit-plea-seeking-summoning-review#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 12 08:08:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=407265</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Court issues orders to all respondents to submit rejoinder to Haqqani’s objections within 5 days.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Thursday gave a three-day deadline to former ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani for submitting an application to the court to review its summoning orders, Express News reported.

Barrister Zafarullah Khan, the first petitioner in the case, said to a nine-member bench headed by Justice Shakirullah Jan, that Haqqani was still in the US and had not come back to appear in the court despite summons issued for him.

Haqqani’s counsel Asma Jehangir informed the court that she had told her client about the court’s orders, but his return is linked with the review petition he had submitted in the court.

He had prayed to the apex court to set aside the Memo commission’s report and not consider its conclusion. He had said that the report should be set aside and not be considered so that full justice is done, and discrimination including persecution of the petitioner (Haqqani) be rectified.

Jehangir further said that Haqqani was not sentenced neither the court had given any verdict against him.

Justice Saqib Nisar observed that the former ambassador had assured the court of his return whenever summoning orders are issued and that he should have come back.

The court issued orders to all respondents in the case to submit a rejoinder to Haqqani’s objections within five days and adjourned the hearing till an indefinite date.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Haqqani links return to assurances of security, due process</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406792/memogate-wont-return-without-guarantee-of-security-due-process-says-haqqani</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406792/memogate-wont-return-without-guarantee-of-security-due-process-says-haqqani#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 12 15:58:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=406792</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Haqqani says he will not appear before the Supreme Court in person till threats against him are adequately addressed.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[With the Supreme Court having summoned Husain Haqqani to appear in person before a nine-member bench for the hearing of the Memogate Scandal on July 12, extracts of a letter due to be presented to the apex court by the former Pakistan Ambassador to US read that such an appearance was out of the question till safety of his life was guaranteed.

“I will not risk my life until the circumstances that have put my life in jeopardy have changed,” he wrote, adding “given the current mood and environment in the country, where individuals are being burned alive on unproved charges of blasphemy and ethnic, political and sectarian killings are going unnoticed, it is unreasonable to pressure me to return to the country to respond to political accusations based on the word of one foreigner.”

Describing the mainstream persecution and threats against his life, the Boston University Professor wrote that elements within the media had painted him “variously as a ‘traitor’, ‘Pakistan’s Benedict Arnold’, and ‘disloyal to the Pakistani state,’” insisting that these were extreme characterisations by people who disagreed with him politically and had ‘jumped the gun’ to declare the former ambassador guilty of authoring an unsigned memo.

“Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), who also is currently leading the ‘Adlia bachao tehrik’ (Save the Judiciary Campaign) and claims to speak for Pakistan’s establishment has publicly declared me a traitor,” Haqqani wrote. “Another politician close to the establishment and one who also served as a Minister in the previous government headed by the then army chief General Pervez Musharraf, Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, has gone on national television to call me “Ghaddar ibne Ghaddar” (traitor son of traitors) without being rebuked by any judicial or judicious authority.”

He said the public outbursts against him in Pakistan have contributed to an increasingly hostile environ for Haqqani translating into threats from extremist elements.

“Both Khan and Ahmed have shared the public stage with groups and leaders described internationally as terrorists. Their pronouncements are, therefore, to be seen as potential incitement to their supporters in Jihadist terrorist organisations to eliminate me as a voice for a liberal and tolerant Pakistan.”

Further elaborating on the threats on his life from several quarters, Haqqani wrote “these include the operatives of the several intelligence services with which my sole accuser Mansoor Ijaz claims to have relations; extremists and terrorists who claim to have monopoly over being true Muslims and Pakistanis; some vigilante or angry man provoked by the hostile comments of politicians, commentators and Commission members questioning my loyalty to Pakistan; and members of the permanent state apparatus who may have played a role in my ouster from the office of ambassador.”

Haqqani added that during his stay in Pakistan from November 18, 2011 to January 31, 2012, he was able to stay in the “relatively safer precincts of the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s House” owing to his personal and political ties with the President and Prime Minister. But, he added that today even such high profile relations offer no more comfort. “Subsequent events have showed that there is no assurance of safety of tenure of incumbents of those high, elected, constitutional offices. It is unreasonable to expect me to depend for my personal security on personal relations with holders of high constitutional offices whose own positions are constantly under threat,” he declared, before pointing to the case of former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer who was shot dead by his own state provided security guard.

“Who can assure me that there is no Mumtaz Qadri waiting for me and no Justice Khawaja Sharif lurking in the wings to defend and protect him after I have been killed?” Haqqani asked.

He also hinted at threats from elements within the powerful State apparatus. “The manner in which the then DG ISI took it upon himself to act in implicating me in the origins of the memo gives me a strong reason not to trust the current state machinery in my protection. I will need extra assurances and manifestations thereof before I can put my trust in being protected by those who deem themselves super-patriots and the only guardians of Pakistan or its ideology.”

Haqqani concluded that the “only situation in which I envisage myself returning to the country is after I have been afforded an opportunity to defend myself with due process of law and lift the poisoned atmosphere created against me.” He said, “I have an obligation to my family and children. I cannot and will not take a risk with my life and personal security under the present circumstances.”

The former ambassador also said that “the failure of the state including the superior judiciary, in protecting the lives of those killed and dumped in Balochistan do to not inspire much confidence about its ability to ensure my security upon return to Pakistan.”

Additionally, Haqqani claimed, the commission too had contributed towards creating a hostile environment against him by adopting a line of their questioning and presenting a guilty verdict. “The highly incendiary language used by the Commission in its partisan report has increased the threats to my safety and security in case of returning to Pakistan.”

On the Supreme Court’s four day notice to return condition for lifting a travel ban on Haqqani, the former ambassador argued that this was no longer applicable because “the Commission’s decision to facilitate Mansoor Ijaz by recording his statement by video conference lacked transparency as it denied me the opportunity to request the same before the Supreme Court, leading me to give the Supreme Court an assurance based on lack of knowledge of the Commission’s intentions.”

He maintained that he was still willing to appear before the nine-member bench via video conference.

“I appeared in person before the Commission on January 9 and was represented in its proceedings by counsel that I engaged at my cost. Instead of trying to find facts, the Commission waited until February 23, 2012 for Ijaz’s statement from London by video conference,” he pointed out.

Haqqani concluded that the “only situation in which I envisage myself returning to the country is after I have been afforded an opportunity to defend myself with due process of law and lift the poisoned atmosphere created against me.” He added, “I have an obligation to my family and children. I cannot and will not take a risk with my life and personal security under the present circumstances.”]]>
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			<title>Memo panel overstepped its mandate: Haqqani</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406093/memo-panel-overstepped-its-mandate-haqqani</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406093/memo-panel-overstepped-its-mandate-haqqani#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 12 04:33:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=406093</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pleads for setting aside the commission’s findings; SC rejects his reply.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Raising objection over the reply submitted by former Pakistani ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani – in which he criticised the commission’s findings which pronounced him guilty in the Memogate scandal – the Supreme Court returned his application saying it did not bear Haqqani’s signature.


During Monday’s hearing, the apex court also directed all the respondents of the Memogate case to appear before the court on July 12. In pursuance of the court orders, Haqqani submitted his reply thorough his counsel Asma Jehangir.

Declining his role in authoring the controversial memo sent by the self-confessed whistleblower of the case, Mansoor Ejaz, through Gen (retd) James Jones to then US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen, Haqqani asserted that no evidence had been presented and recorded by the commission which could establish his role in authoring or authorising the memo.

He prayed to the apex court to set aside the commission’s report and not consider its conclusion. “The report of the commission should be set aside and not be considered so that full justice is done and discrimination including persecution of the petitioner (Haqqani) be rectified,” Haqqani’s reply stated.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had formed a commission comprising chief justices of three high courts to probe the scandal. The commission investigated the issue in six months and came to the conclusion that Haqqani was in fact guilty.

However, in his reply, Haqqani criticised the commission’s findings and its role in the investigation, arguing that the memo had created no tangible threat to Pakistan’s security as claimed at the time of the setting up of the commission to probe its origin, authenticity and purpose.

“For example without any evidence or suggestion by any witness, the commission divulged into the secret funds of the embassy in Washington and incorrectly concluded that Haqqani has also objected to illicit funding of $3 million to politicians by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) but himself received three times that amount,” the reply said.

In response, Haqqani pleaded that he does not make the policy of the government and thus had no hand in allocating funds to various departments including Pakistani embassies as alleged in the commission’s report.

He contended that the commission also conveniently glossed over the evidence of Mansoor where he categorically admitted that he drafted and sent the memo. “The dangerous assertions made by the witness, Mansoor, in his testimony about Pakistan’s leadership and its armed forces have also been ignored.”

Haqqani maintained that the commission went beyond its mandate and worked as an investigating agency and carried out a “roving inquiry without any legal process” in Pakistan. “Due process has totally been denied to him [Haqqani]”, the reply said.

He said in his reply that the commission was created as fact-finding probe and an inquisitorial body but it conducted its proceedings in an “adversarial manner”. He complained that the commission made no serious efforts to find facts in the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Memogate: SC summons all respondents on July 12</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405903/memogate-sc-summons-all-respondents-on-july-12</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405903/memogate-sc-summons-all-respondents-on-july-12#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 12 18:05:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=405903</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC returned Haqqani's written reply asking court to set aside Commission report, claiming signature was not...]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[While raising objections over the written reply submitted by former Pakistani ambassador to the US in the Memogate scam, the Supreme Court on Monday returned his application saying it did not bear the signature of Husain Haqqani, before directing all respondents of the Memogate scandal to appear before the court on July 12.

In pursuance a court order, Haqqani had submitted a reply through his counsel Asma Jehangir. In it Haqqani declined his role in authoring and or authorising the disputed memo sent by Mansoor Ijaz through Gen (retired) James Jones to then Chairman Joints Chief Of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, adding that no evidence has been presented nor that which recorded by the Commission which establishes his role in the memo, and criticised the commission for acting as a trial court.

The Supreme Court had earlier formed a commission comprising chief justices of three high courts to probe the scandal. The commission investigated the matter over six months including conducting forensic tests of Mansoor Ijaz’s BlackBerry phone. It came to the conclusion that Haqqani was guilty.

However, in his reply, Haqqani criticised the commission’s findings and its role in investigation, arguing that the memo posed no tangible threat to Pakistan’s security as claimed at the time Commission’s establishment to probe memo’s origin, authenticity and purpose. The former ambassador contended that the conclusion and process adopted by the Commission has made a mockery of fundamental rights that extended to protect the reputation of individuals and to ensure equal protection before the law guaranteeing due process.

Haqqani prayed before the Supreme Court to set aside the Commission’s report. “The report of the Commission be set aside and not be considered so that full justice is done and discrimination including persecution of the petitioner (Haqqani) be rectified,” Haqqani’s reply contested.

He stated that the Commission set up by the Supreme Court had gone beyond its terms of reference and moved into inquiries that are not even remotely connected to the terms of reference and simply used to persecute the petitioner (Haqqani) on the responses which were not probed deeply.

“For example without any evidence or suggestion by any witness, the Commission divulged into the secret funds of the embassy in Washington and incorrectly concluded that Haqqani has also objected to illicit funding of US$3 million to politicians by ISI but himself received three times that amount. Similarly that Haqqani criticised the Army Chief for not disclosing the utilisation of secret funds, but he made no disclosure.”

Haqqani pleaded that he does not make the policy of the government of Pakistan and thus has no hand in allocating funds to various department including Pakistani embassies as alleged in the Commission’s report.

He contended that the Commission has also conveniently glossed over the evidence of Ijaz where he categorically admitted that he drafted and sent the memo. “The dangerous assertions made by the witness Mansoor Ijaz in his testimony about Pakistan leadership and its armed forces has also been ignored as they strongly show the rash manner in which this witness make accusations,” Haqqani contended.

Haqqani alleged that the bias and grinding prejudice of the Commission is also reflected in several comments made against him, alleging his personal history was misquoted and the Commission questioned that that since he owned no property in Pakistan, how could he then be appointed as an ambassador to the US.

He maintained that the Commission went beyond its mandate in that it worked as an investigating agency which carried out a roving inquiry without any legal process in Pakistan. “Due process has totally been denied,” Haqqani contended.

The former ambassador added that the Commission presumed him guilty and expected from him to clear his name against the evidence of one man (Mansoor Ijaz) and on a testimony that has several contradictions. While, criticising the findings of the Commission, he said that it was created as fact finding probe as an inquisitorial body but instead it conducted proceedings in an adversarial manner. He said that the Commission has not made serious efforts to find facts in the matter and was content with seeking a statement from Ijaz and then demanding that Haqqani appear in person to refute the claims and assertions against him.

The written reply submitted by Husain Haqqani can be read here.]]>
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			<title>Supreme Court to hear Memogate case on July 12, notices issued</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/401057/supreme-court-to-hear-memogate-case-on-july-12-notices-issued</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/401057/supreme-court-to-hear-memogate-case-on-july-12-notices-issued#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 Jun 12 08:06:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=401057</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC issues notices to Haqqani, Ijaz and other respondents.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued notices to all respondents in the Memogate case, including former ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani and American businessman Mansoor Ijaz, Express News reported on Friday.

A nine-member bench of the Supreme Court will hear the case on July 12, 2012.

The judicial commission probing into the Memogate scandal had found Haqqani guilty of authoring the memorandum -  the document delivered to US officials seeking assistance to overthrow the top military brass of the country.

However, Haqqani had strongly denied the accusations on his Twitter account.

The scandal had started when Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz claimed last year of having received a message from Haqqani to deliver a confidential memo to Admiral Mike Mullen, regarding a possible military takeover.]]>
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			<title>Gates, gates everywhere</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397131/gates-gates-everywhere</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397131/gates-gates-everywhere#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 12 17:30:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.shafi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=397131</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[If Commission took Ijaz’s word that Haqqani is Memo's author, can't they also take his word that Haqqani is a patriot.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Did Abdul Qadir Gilani call Mubashar Lucman of his own accord or was he returning Lucman’s call during Lucman’s and Meher Bokhari’s disgraceful interview of Malik Riaz, or was Gilani returning Lucman’s call made to him a minute or so earlier? Well, a friend who I respect tells me that Gilani received a missed call (or sms) from Lucman to which he responded by calling Lucman back. Indeed, if you watch this clip carefully, you will see Lucman fiddling with his BlackBerry seconds before the start of the programme, and receiving a call after the barely one-minute intro.

This call had to do with the recent feud between Hamid Mir and Lucman, who can clearly be heard asking Gilani to ask Riaz to let him (Lucman) name Mir on the programme. Riaz says no and the show proceeds. But the fact that the then prime minister’s son speaks to Lucman while he is conducting a highly controversial interview rankles with a lot of people including I.

Indeed, the interview is so controversial that it prompted the Chief Justice to summon a hapless and quivering chairman Pemra before a meeting of the Full Court where he was questioned by the CJ himself, the proceedings quite needlessly shown live on TV channels. News reports suggest that the man suffered a heart attack not soon after his questioning. Little wonder, for the Full Court, bless its heart, must surely present an awesome sight!

In light of the notoriety of the interview, and its fallout, is it not possible for the Supreme Court to summon Mubashar Lucman and Abdul Qadir Gilani along with their mobile devices and have forensic analysis done there and then (and why not before the Full Court; and why not televised too?) as to the veracity of the version that it was Lucman and not Gilani who initiated that call? Our Supreme Court can do anything it pleases as we have seen: this should be easy pickings.

And now, as promised, to ‘Mamo’-gate, which is how Pakistan’s most raucous and trend-setting channel refers to Memogate. Let us, for the sake of argument, overlook the fact that the very same people who accused Husain Haqqani of being an American agent; of being America’s ambassador to Pakistan etcetera, accused him of using a shady character to first write and then pass on a memo to the Americans. Let us ignore the fact that being their agent it should have been the easiest matter for Haqqani to whisper into American ears what was written in the Memo — no written Memo; no BBM ‘trail’; no nothing.

But how can we ignore the suggestion in the Memo which so upset the commanders of the Deep State, that the Zardari/Haqqani combine wanted to replace the current ‘ghairatmand’ and patriotic high command with generals who would be more ‘pliable’ so to say, and who would willingly put Pakistan’s nuclear assets aka ‘bums’ under the oversight of the Americans and their stooges, and other such ‘beyghairat’ stuff.

How can we ignore the fact that there might exist in the senior ranks of the Pakistan Army a bunch of ‘beyghairat’ and unpatriotic generals who would be amenable to accepting US hegemony over Pakistan’s security, ordered by Haqqani &amp; Co.? Tripe and nonsense! As I have oft-written, generals of our army are the exact same; from the same mould; peas in a pod. Nothing could be further from the truth than the canard that there are such elements in our army.

Which reminds me: how could this silly Memo make Kayani and Pasha, the two main players in ‘unmasking’ this great conspiracy leave their posts? Zardari would have dismissed them because of US pressure on the two generals? Tripe and nonsense. Zardari is no fool and knows the rules of the game.

There’s more: Josh Rogin, writing in The Cable, the blog of the Foreign Policy (FP) magazine of November 17, 2011 wrote about an interview he had with Haqqani’s main accuser, one-time women wrestling commentator and most controversial ‘deal-maker’ who has been rubbished in the press, Mansoor Ijaz. “Once the memo was final, Ijaz said he approached three US interlocutors ... all three of them expressed scepticism about the offers that were being made. “Frankly, when you read it, you will see that these offers are sort of a sellout of Pakistan to the United States.”

Rogin says further: “Ijaz said he respects Haqqani, believes his motives are patriotic, and sees him as a needed presence in the troubled US-Pakistan relationship.

“Haqqani has had a reputation since he became ambassador as being more of America’s ambassador to Pakistan than Pakistan’s Ambassador to America, but that’s an unfair charge,” Ijaz said. “He is someone who is trying to help people there understand who we are and help people here understand what kind of a mess [Pakistan] is.”

“In that sense, he’s done a very credible job and it would be a loss for Pakistan to see him go,” Ijaz said. “I still consider him a friend.” (Well, with friends like you, buddy!!).

Let us now ask this question of the Commission: if they could take Ijaz’s word that Haqqani is the author of the Memo as the gospel truth and is therefore, in the uncalled-for words of the Commission, “not loyal” to Pakistan, why can’t they also take the great man suggesting that Haqqani is a patriot who did a great job for his country while he was ambassador in Washington DC as the truth too?

In ending, I quote from an editorial in Dawn of March 20, 2012: “After all, the performance that Mansoor Ijaz has put in as the star witness has been so bizarre and underwhelming that the possibility that Mr Haqqani is in serious legal jeopardy has almost evaporated. Mr Ijaz’s penchant for making an outrageous allegation one day and then quietly suggesting he isn’t sure of its veracity the next has shredded his credibility to the point of nothingness.”

Another question: Does the Commission really feel that Haqqani does not face a threat to his life if he came back to Pakistan to depose? Come on, My Lords, we are all Pakistanis and we all KNOW the dangers that lurk against those who are the perceived enemies of the Deep State. Go on: give him the same rights as you gave to that ludicrous man.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Memogate scandal: President cleared of direct involvement</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394904/memogate-scandal-president-cleared-of-direct-involvement</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394904/memogate-scandal-president-cleared-of-direct-involvement#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 17 Jun 12 04:25:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=394904</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Not a shred of evidence that Zardari authorised memo’s preparation.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Days after the Memogate commission found Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani guilty of preparing the memorandum seeking the Obama administration’s help to avert a military takeover, it exonerated President Asif Ali Zardari from any direct involvement in the scandal that rocked the government.


The commission conceded in its final report on Saturday that “no evidence was produced before us that would indicate that President Asif Ali Zardari had either authorised the preparation of the memorandum, or directed that it be sent to the American administration.”

Mansoor Ijaz, the American businessman of Pakistani ancestary, who alleged that Haqqani had asked him to deliver the confidential memo to then-US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, failed to satisfy the commission that President Zardari had prior knowledge of the memorandum, the report says.

The commission, however, mentioned that “it was also our considered view that Haqqani led Ijaz into believing that the memo had the authority of President Zardari.”

However, it did not find any evidence that he had either authorised the preparation of the memo, or directed that it be sent to the American administration, adding that “Ijaz also confessed he does not have any validating proof to support his claim.”

The commission discussed claims made by Ijaz, who testified that “… [Haqqani] said that it was coming from the President of Pakistan, who wanted to put together a new national security team similar to the one of the US. I agreed to help Haqqani and asked him what the message was he wanted to be conveyed?”

He further stated during the proceedings that “[Haqqani] then said that in view of the sensitivity of the matter, any subsequent communication between us regarding the memo should be referred to as ‘Ispahani’,” referring to Haqqani’s wife Farahnaz Ispahani, “and if referring to the Pakistani government, then the term ‘friends’ should be used.”

The commission had sent a questionnaire to Ijaz, asking him if he could corroborate his claims with any other person, including Zardari. He confessed that he had no documentary proof, but he only relied on and accepted Haqqani’s word that he had the president’s approval.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>'Boss' Zardari had no involvement in Memogate: Commission report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394746/boss-zardari-had-no-involvement-in-memogate-commission-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394746/boss-zardari-had-no-involvement-in-memogate-commission-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jun 12 17:25:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=394746</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Memo commission says they found no evidence which proved Zardari was involved in the memo, but Haqqani is its author.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Memogate Commission in its findings has exonerated President Asif Ali Zardari from any direct involvement in the memo scandal.

The commission conceded in its final report, presented before a larger bench of the Supreme Court that “no evidence was produced before us that would indicate that the President Asif Ali Zardari had either authorised the preparation of the memorandum or directed that it be sent to the American administration…”

The report submitted by the commission to the Supreme Court found guilty, however, former ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Husain Haqqani for preparing the memorandum. The commission, however, mentioned that it was also its considered view that Haqqani led Mansoor Ijaz into believing the memo had the authority of President Zardari.

Pakistani-American businessman and the main character in the memogate, Mansoor Ijaz, who conveyed it to the then US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen at the behest of Haqqani, failed to satisfy the commission that President Zardari had prior knowledge of the memorandum. The report added that Ijaz also confessed he did not have any validating proof in support of his claim.

The commission comprising three provincial chief justices headed by Balochistan High Court’s Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had investigated the scandal thoroughly over five-months. Justice Mushir Alam, Chief Justice Sindh High Court and Chief Justice Islamabad High Court Justice Iqbal Hameed-ur-Rahman were the other two members of the commission.

In its final report the commission discussed the claims made by Mansoor Ijaz.

According to Ijaz, the memorandum had the support of President Zardari and in this regard he testified, “…he [Hussain Haqqani] said that it was coming from the President of Pakistan who wanted to put together a new national security team similar to the national security organization in the US. I agreed to help Haqqani and asked him what is the message he wants to be conveyed?”

Ijaz further told the commission during its proceedings that “He [Haqqani] then stated that in view of the sensitivity of the matter subsequent communication between us should, whilst referring to United States of America refer to “Isphani”, which was the name of his wife, and if referring to Pakistan government should refer to as “friends.”

According to Ijaz, in subsequent BBM messages Haqqani made the reference more specific by using the word “friend” for President of Pakistan. He also used word “boss” for him. The term “bad boys” was meant for Chief of Army Staff and ISI. Haqqani convoyed that to him (Ijaz) “If my friend and I feel sufficiently empowered in relation to the bad boys, I will ensure we get candor.”

The report said that the commission had sent a questionnaire to Ijaz and asked him if he could corroborate it with any other person including President Zardari. To this, Ijaz confessed that he has no documentary proof but had only relied and accepted Haqqani’s words that he had the approval of President Zardari.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Haqqani denies charge of authoring memo</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393705/memogate-haqqani-denies-charge-of-authoring-memo</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393705/memogate-haqqani-denies-charge-of-authoring-memo#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 12 14:52:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=393705</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says it was illogical to accuse him of being an &quot;American agent&quot;, and that needed to rely on Ijaz to transmit it.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan's former ambassador to Washington, who was summoned by the Supreme Court, on Thursday staunchly defended civilian rule and efforts to improve ties with the United States.

A commission set up by the Supreme Court has accused Husain Haqqani of disloyalty over an unsigned memo sent in May 2011 to the then chief of the US armed forces, Admiral Mike Mullen, seeking help to curb the military in the wake of the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

In an opinion piece in The Washington Post, Haqqani dismissed claims he wrote the memo, saying it was illogical to accuse him of being an "American agent" and at the same time charge that he needed to rely on a controversial businessman to transmit a memo to US leaders.

"Branding me a traitor will not solve any of Pakistan's myriad problems, not least of which is the prospect of international isolation," Haqqani wrote, pointing to surveys showing that Pakistan's image was as low as North Korea's.

"It is tragic that anti-Americanism is being exploited to push ideological agendas, but I stand by my view that positive US-Pakistan relations under a civilian-led Pakistani government are necessary for international peace and Pakistan's stability," he said.

Haqqani denied writing the memo, but said: "Many people around the world would recognise that its contents suggesting changes in Pakistan's counterterrorism and nuclear policies reflect reasonable views that are not treasonous and are, in fact, in line with global thinking."

Haqqani attacked critics who accused him of being too close to the United States, saying: "Few considered that Pakistan was pledged record amounts of US aid and that Pakistani views were being heard on a range of issues."

"The expectation that Washington should simply do whatever the Pakistani hyper-nationalists desire remains unrealistic," he wrote.

The military has long been the most powerful institution in the country. According to the purported memo, President Asif Ali Zardari -- who is close to Haqqani -- feared that the military would seize power to limit the fallout after US forces sneaked in to kill Osama bin Laden.

Lawyers have suggested that the commission's report could pave the way to put Haqqani on trial for treason, if only in absentia. Haqqani has returned to the United States where he is a professor at Boston University.]]>
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			<title>Memogate report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393117/memogate-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/393117/memogate-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 12 17:49:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=393117</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Some would also say that the commission’s commentary on Haqqani’s loyalties was unnecessary.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The judicial commission set up to investigate the so-called ‘memogate’ scandal has tried to put two and two together and has come up with a number that is most definitely not four. Its final report declares that there is incontrovertible proof that former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani was the originator and composer of the memo that was sent to the Americans by businessman Mansoor Ijaz. For all we know, that proof may well be present, although the commission is yet to share it and those who attended hearings of the commission had come away with a distinctly different impression of the proceedings. Certainly, Haqqani played a murky role in the composition of the memo that is yet to be fully explained but to declare him responsible requires a stretch of the imagination that certainly doesn’t rise to the level of being found guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Some would also say that the commission’s commentary on Haqqani’s loyalties was unnecessary. It declared that the former ambassador was always trying to keep the Americans happy. Maybe the commission should keep in mind that staying on the good side of the US is an integral part of an ambassador’s job description. Haqqani has often suffered through the accusation of being an American at heart but it is a battle he has won, first through his job as ambassador and then by proving that he did not hold US citizenship.

The commission, in declaring that Haqqani worked against the interests of Pakistan by writing the memo, may want to take a closer look at its contents. It is difficult to raise objections against his desire to have the military brought under the control of civilians, as our Constitution demands. Asking the Americans to bring this change about is questionable, but the sentiment cannot be deemed entirely objectionable. Yet, it is in the nature of those opposed to civilian rule to change the subject from their misdeeds. In this case, the distraction was memogate and the scapegoat was Husain Haqqani.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>‘Vindicated’: Pakistan’s justice system is fair, says Ijaz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392932/%e2%80%98vindicated%e2%80%99-pakistan%e2%80%99s-justice-system-is-fair-says-ijaz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392932/%e2%80%98vindicated%e2%80%99-pakistan%e2%80%99s-justice-system-is-fair-says-ijaz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 12 00:23:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392932</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Judicial commission’s report has corroborated the ‘truth’ Mansoor Ijaz was speaking from day one.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The self-styled whistle-blower of the Memogate scandal said that the judicial commission’s report has corroborated the ‘truth’ he was speaking from day one.

“Speaking that truth was a moral obligation for me,” Mansoor Ijaz, the American businessman of Pakistani descent, told The Express Tribune in an exclusive telephone interview.

“Though it caused harm to my family, my business and my political relationships – I even received death threats – the value of the truth I spoke outweighed all of this,” he said.

Ijaz said that “in presenting the truth faithfully,” he gave the institutions of justice in Pakistan the ability to ensure that “never again would Pakistan’s political leaders dream of telling such lies in hopes they could be covered up.”

Ijaz praised the Pakistan Army for “standing its ground in defending the country against those who would compromise its security but never wavered in their commitment to insure democracy and justice kept to their true paths”.

He also paid tribute to the judiciary for “ensuring that every party in the case was given full opportunity to defend the case and present the evidence.”

He said the court’s determination proved that justice was imparted fairly and without consideration to a single political factor that subordinates the country’s national interests. “I am proud to say as an American of Pakistani origin today that Pakistan’s justice system was just and fair,” Ijaz said.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Crying foul: Haqqani to challenge ‘one-sided’ report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392935/crying-foul-haqqani-to-challenge-%e2%80%98one-sided%e2%80%99-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392935/crying-foul-haqqani-to-challenge-%e2%80%98one-sided%e2%80%99-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 12 00:16:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[gibran.ashraf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392935</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former diplomat stated that the commission could neither pronounce him guilty nor uphold his innocence.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani said his legal team would challenge the report of a commission, formed to probe the Memogate scandal, which stated that he authored the controversial memo.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Haqqani described the report as “political” and “one-sided” based on the findings of a “foreigner”.

He said his lawyers would be challenging the report on the basis of legal flaws in the proceedings of the commission before the Supreme Court.

“The entire proceedings reflected the political machination of ideological elements including the judiciary and had little to do with fact-finding,” he alleged.

“The commission has based its findings on the claims of one man, a foreigner, and dubious records presented by him, which were reinforced by an equally dubious exercise termed as forensics,” he said.

The former diplomat also stated that the commission could neither pronounce him guilty nor uphold his innocence. “In any case, the commission was created as a fact-finding body and not as a trial court so it has no right to pronounce anyone guilty or innocent of any crime.”

“Similarly, the Supreme Court of Pakistan cannot act as a trial court and must not abuse its authority as the court of final appeal to divert attention from the embarrassment of its politicised leadership,” he added.

Haqqani also suggested that there may have been an ulterior motive to the commission’s report. “The commission’s report has been released to distract attention from other more embarrassing developments,” he said, alluding to the allegations relating to Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s son Arsalan Chaudhry.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Haqqani authored the memo: panel</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392929/memogate-haqqani-authored-the-memo-panel</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392929/memogate-haqqani-authored-the-memo-panel#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 12 00:11:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qaiser.zulfiqar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392929</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Commission’s report says ex-envoy to US did seek US help to overthrow the army brass.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a startling revelation, the Memogate commission’s report made public on Tuesday, following apex court orders, has established that the memorandum was real and Husain Haqqani was indeed the originator and architect of the document delivered to US officials seeking assistance to overthrow the top military brass of the country.


On Tuesday, Attorney General Irfan Qadir read out the findings of the report before a larger nine-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who summoned the former ambassador to the US at the next date of hearing.

Branding the controversial memorandum “an authentic document”, the commission – headed by Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising chief justices of Sindh and Islamabad High Court as its members – pointed out that Haqqani did indeed seek US help — possibly to sell himself as an indispensable asset to the Americans.

It also noted that Haqqani had lost sight of the fact that he was both a Pakistani citizen and his country’s top envoy to the United States.

Haqqani, according to the report, delivered a message through Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz to then US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen through General James Jones. He offered his services as part of a proposed national security team while expressing fears that Pakistan’s nuclear assets were legitimate targets and thereby seeking a foreign government’s help to bring those assets under a more verifiable, transparent regime.

The commission observed that the former ambassador told Washington that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) maintains relations with the Taliban, he also offered to eliminate Section S of the ISI, he created fissures in the body politic and these were acts of disloyalty to Pakistan that contravened the Constitution.

“The purpose of the memorandum was to show that the civilian government was a friend of America, but needed to be strengthened to prevail upon the army and the intelligence agencies. And to be able to do so, American help was required to set up a civilian national security team, to be headed by Mr Haqqani,” the report stated.

“There can be no two views that terrorism must be contested, terrorists fought, nuclear proliferation opposed, civilians (and not the military) determine foreign policy and the ship of the state guided by civilian hands at the helm; however, what is not acceptable is for Pakistan’s ambassador to beseech a foreign government with impunity to meddle in and run our affairs.”

The commission observed that Haqqani has chosen not to live in Pakistan and that instead he has been working in the US. He has neither property nor assets in Pakistan in his name and he does not posses money in a Pakistani bank. Despite having no obvious ties to Pakistan, he was appointed to the “extremely sensitive” position of an ambassador, and was being paid a salary of $2 million a year.

After a short hearing, the court adjourning the hearing for two weeks, summoned the former ambassador on the next date.

Haqqani was earlier allowed to leave the country with the commitment that whenever the court required he would appear in person within a period of four days.

Lawyer’s reaction

Advocate Sardar Asmatullah told The Express Tribune that he was expecting the court to declare Haqqani a proclaimed offender since he had refused to appear before the commission despite earlier assurances.

“The affidavits of army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI’s former director-general Ahmad Shuja Pasha have been proved true by the commission’s report,” he said.

Meanwhile, senior advocate Ikram Chaudhry was of the view that the Supreme Court will announce its verdict on the basis of the evidence the commission has collected and recommend the federal government to take the appropriate action.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Haqqani to challenge report, Ijaz says findings brought forth truth</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392522/haqqani-to-challenge-memo-commission%e2%80%99s-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392522/haqqani-to-challenge-memo-commission%e2%80%99s-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 12 07:37:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392522</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Speaking the truth was a moral compulsion for me, says Mansoor Ijaz.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States (US) Husain Haqqani said on Tuesday that he will challenge the report of the judicial commission that was probing the Memogate scandal. The report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that Haqqani had authored the confidential memo.

In a series of tweets on the microblogging website Twitter, Haqqani responded to the commission’s report. He said that the commission’s proceedings were one-sided:
One-sided proceedings of Commission that refused to hear me will be challenged by my lawyers.
Commission is not a court and those claiming it has determined guilt or innocence are wrong.
In a statement released, he said "Commission was created as a fact-finding body and not as a trial court so it has no right to pronounce anyone guilty or innocent of any crime."

Haqqani also said that the report aimed to “distract” people’s attention from other issues:
Memo Commission report is bring used to distract attention from other embarrassing issues. Its claims are political, not legal.
He further said that no one had the right to judge his patriotism:
Those who endorsed military dictators &amp; allowed them 2 amend constitution cannot judge my -or anyone else’s-patriotism.
Commission’s report brought forth truth I have been speaking: Ijaz

Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz, whose claims stirred the Memogate controversy, said that the Supreme Court’s unveiling of the judicial commission’s report had brought forth the “truth he had been speaking from the day the case started.”

He said, “Speaking the truth was a moral compulsion for me – it brought harm to my family, my business interests and my political relationships.  But the value of the truth I spoke outweighed all of these considerations.”

Asma Jahangir flays commission report

Former Pakistan ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani's counsel Asma Jahangir termed the report of judicial commission on memo scandal as biased and expressed serious reservations on it.

Talking to media persons at Lahore High Court on Tuesday, she also questioned the commission's jurisdiction and that under what law could a Commission declare anyone a traitor.

She was of the view that the commission acted as both complainant and adjudicator. She critiqued that the inquiry report, that it should have been shown to the counsels of the parties involved before being presented before the Supreme Court.

She also questioned another finding of the commission and wondered how the commission could declare Haqqani forced Mansoor Ijaz to write the memo, yet, fail to establish any evidence to this effect.

Replying to a question on whether Haqqani will return to country following SC directions, Jahangir said she had to yet to see the Commission’s report.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Commission's report says Haqqani authored memo</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392485/memogate-commissions-report-claims-haqqani-authored-memo</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392485/memogate-commissions-report-claims-haqqani-authored-memo#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 12 04:59:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sidrah.moiz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392485</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Report submitted to Supreme Court; CJ summons Haqqani to Pakistan.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A report submitted in the Supreme Court on Tuesday by the judicial commission probing into the Memogate scandal has stated that former envoy to the United States, Husain Haqqani, had authored the confidential memo, Express News reported.

The scandal had started when Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz claimed last year of having received a message from Haqqani to deliver a confidential memo to Admiral Mike Mullen, regarding a possible military takeover.

The Supreme Court also ordered the former envoy to come back to Pakistan.

The chief justice observed that when Haqqani was leaving Pakistan, he had assured the court that he will come back within a period of four days if summoned by the court.

The commission further informed the court that the memo was not a farce, but a reality. The report further claimed that the motive of the memo was to ensure the US that the civilian government of Pakistan is its ally.

The report stated that being an ambassador, it did not “suit” Haqqani to give such assurances to a foreign country.

The court sought a reply from Haqqani regarding the commission’s report.

The hearing was underway at the Supreme Court, heard by a nine-member bench, comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Jawad S Khwaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Tariq Parvez, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Azmat Saeed.

The hearing has been adjourned till two weeks, whereas notices were issued to all respondents in the case.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is getting the short order penned down.

The Supreme Court ordered that the report be made public.

The commission handed five “sealed envelopes” to the court.

The memo had contained a request to convey a “strong, urgent and direct message to Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani” that communicates Washington’s demand for him and the former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief General (retd) Shuja Pasha to “end their brinkmanship aimed at bringing down the civilian apparatus”.

Reacting to the commissions report, the former ambassador tweeted on the microblogging website Twitter, saying that he will challenge the commission's report.

‘Haqqani should be tried for treason’

Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that Haqqani should be tried on charges of treason and be made a “lesson” for others in the future.

Speaking on the premises of the Supreme Court, Asif said that a case should be initiated against Haqqani for compromising the sovereignty of the country.

He said that Haqqani should be tried for “subverting the constitution of Pakistan, for treason and for harming the sovereignty of Pakistan.”

Alleging that Haqqani was “an agent of the US,” he said, “He was on the payroll of the US. He was being paid $2 billion other than his salary for carrying out these gross activities against Pakistan’s interest.”

“He offered the US that Pakistan’s nuclear assets and its intelligence agencies will be compromised, and in return asked for power for himself and [President Asif Ali] Zardari.”

The PML-N leader said that the report proved that Haqqani was not “Pakistan’s friend” and that he had failed to secure Pakistan’s interest. He added that Haqqani had prioritised US’ interests over those of Pakistan.

Asif said that not only Haqqani, but the ones who “guided him” should be unveiled before the people.]]>
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			<title>Larger bench formed for Memogate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392412/larger-bench-formed-for-memogate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/392412/larger-bench-formed-for-memogate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 12 03:27:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qaiser.zulfiqar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=392412</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bench consists of nine members and is headed by the chief justice himself.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday constituted a nine-member bench to resume hearing of the Memogate scandal on Tuesday.


It would be headed by the chief justice himself and include Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Jawad S Khwaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Tariq Parvez, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Azmat Saeed.

A three-member judicial commission, headed by the Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Qazi Faez Isa and comprising chief justices of the Sindh and Balochistan high courts, had earlier finalised its report regarding the issue on June 11.

During the course of investigations, the case’s central character Mansoor Ijaz, had recorded his testimony from the office of the Pakistan High Commission in London via a video link, handing over the evidence to the commission’s secretary Raja Jawad.

Former ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani, who allegedly dictated the contents of the memo to Mansoor Ijaz for delivering it to former US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, did not hand over his BlackBerry set to the commission.

Interestingly, Zahid Bukhari, currently representing the real-estate tycoon Malik Riaz in the ‘Familygate’ case, was also Haqqani’s counsel.

Bukhari had also boycotted the proceedings of the commission accusing the commission’s head, Justice Isa, of being biased against his client.

During the last hearing, the commission had directed the foreign office secretary to brief it about the funds Haqqani had used during his tenure.

Ijaz’s counsel Akram Sheikh had alleged Haqqani had received $7 million in secret funds during his tenure as an ambassador to the US.

The scandal started when Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz claimed last year of having received a message from Haqqani to deliver a confidential memo to Admiral Mike Mullen, regarding a possible military takeover.


Published In The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Commission finalises its report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388943/memogate-commission-finalises-its-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388943/memogate-commission-finalises-its-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jun 12 03:28:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=388943</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Findings have been finalised and will be forwarded to the Supreme Court.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The commission probing into the Memogate scandal finalised on Monday its report after 23 days of proceedings and directed its secretary to forward the findings to the Supreme Court.


The scandal started when Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz claimed in May last year of having received a message from then Pakistan’s ambassador to US Husain Haqqani to deliver a confidential memo to Admiral Mike Mullen asking for US assistance against a possible military takeover of the civilian government.

The commission, comprising three provincial chief justices, told a media briefing that its findings had been finalised and secretary Raja Jawad Abbas has been directed to forward the report to the Supreme Court.

The commission also thanked former attorney general of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq, Deputy Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, legal counsels of both parties and the staff of the Islamabad High Court.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Memogate scandal: Commission finalises its report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388925/memogate-scandal-commission-finalises-its-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388925/memogate-scandal-commission-finalises-its-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jun 12 21:06:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=388925</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Findings have been finalised and will be forwarded to the Supreme Court.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The commission probing into the Memogate scandal finalised on Monday its report after 23 days of proceedings and directed its secretary to forward the findings to the Supreme Court.

The scandal started when Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz claimed in May last year of having received a message from then Pakistan’s ambassador to US Husain Haqqani to deliver a confidential memo to Admiral Mike Mullen asking for US assistance against a possible military takeover of the civilian government.

The commission, comprising three provincial chief justices, told a media briefing that its findings had been finalised and secretary Raja Jawad Abbas has been directed to forward the report to the Supreme Court.

The commission also thanked former attorney general of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq, Deputy Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, legal counsels of both parties and the staff of the Islamabad High Court for their cooperation during the proceedings.

ilanid! a `(o the unrest in Balochistan. He revealed that to address the political issues of the province, the prime minister has constituted a political committee. Law Minister Farooq H Naek, Senator Raza Rabbani, Chengez Khan, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Riasani and two of his ministers are part of this committee.
The committee is slated to report to the prime minister on its progress on a weekly basis.
Unregistered vehicles
Meanwhile, the court sought a comprehensive report from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) regarding unregistered vehicles and motorbikes in Balochistan.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, served a notice on the FBR chairman and asked how many vehicles and motorbikes were banned in compliance with the court orders.
During Monday’s hearing, no one on behalf of the secretary of Excise and Taxation appeared to brief the court about the details of unregistered vehicles. The court repeated its notice.
The court also accepted application of five cellular companies to become party in the case. They were asked to file their statements before next date of hearing, before adjourning the hearing till June 11.]]>
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			<title>Memogate case: Memo investigation comes to an end after four months</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/381121/memogate-case-memo-investigation-comes-to-an-end-after-four-months</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/381121/memogate-case-memo-investigation-comes-to-an-end-after-four-months#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 May 12 04:35:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[obaid.abbasi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=381121</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Panel seeks in-camera briefing on secret funds used by Haqqani.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[After four arduous months, proceedings of the Memo Commission finally concluded at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday.


During the final proceedings, the commission directed the foreign office secretary to brief it in-camera regarding secret funds used by former ambassador Hussain Haqqani during his tenure.

This decision was taken after Mansoor Ijaz’s counsel Akram Sheikh claimed to have information that Haqqani received $7 million in secret funds during his three and a half year tenure. Maintaining that the former ambassador reportedly consumed up to $6.7 million out of those funds, Sheikh had requested the commission to start an inquiry on the matter.

Haqqani’s counsel Zahid Bukhari remained absent, continuing his boycott of the commission’s proceedings.

Meanwhile, forensic examination reports of Mansoor Ijaz’s Blackberry set and laptop were made part of the commission’s official record.

Recording his statement, commission secretary Raja Jawad, who submitted the forensic reports, said eight companies were contacted to conduct the examinations and System Technology Consultants Company was selected. Questioned by Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Tariq Mehmood Jehangiri as to how the company’s authenticity was determined, he replied the company had a good reputation and assured to complete the examination expeditiously.  He informed the commission that Mansoor Ijaz submitted his Blackberry set on May 10 after notices were served both on him and Hussain Haqqani.

During the proceedings, Barrister Zafarullah Khan, the first petitioner in the case, drew the commission’s attention towards a New York Times article penned by Haqqani criticising the commission. Justice Isa requested a copy of the article be provided to the commission and asked the commission to share its findings with the apex court once all evidence was recorded.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Haqqani's lawyers to 'boycott' Memo commission's proceedings on Friday</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/380697/haqqanis-lawyers-to-boycott-memo-commissions-proceedings-on-friday</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/380697/haqqanis-lawyers-to-boycott-memo-commissions-proceedings-on-friday#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 12 23:14:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=380697</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Haqqani will raise objections with Supreme Court over proceedings of Memo Commission after it presents report.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Lawyers for former ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani have stated that they will not appear before the Memo Commission when it meets on Friday. Instead, they say Haqqani will wait for the Commission’s report before raising its objections over the commissions’ proceedings before the Supreme Court, the former ambassador's lawyers said.

They alleged that the commission has only facilitated Mansoor Ijaz, the central character in the Memogate scandal, by allowing him videoconferencing facility and also conducting examination of his Blackberry handset on his terms in London.

“If the commission was interested in finding the truth, it would have allowed not only Haqqani but also General James Jones and Admiral Mike Mullen to give statements by videoconference,” they claimed.

Haqqani’s representatives maintained strong objections to what the commission termed forensic examination. According to them, forensics must be conducted in a forensics laboratory by an expert accepted by everyone.

Forensic examination of Ijaz’s electronic devices including BlackBerry handsets was carried out by forensic experts at the Pakistani High Commission in London on May 10, 2012, under the supervision of the secretary of the commission Raja Jawad Abbas. The examination had been ordered by the Memogate Commission on May 5, 2012.

Haqqani’s legal representatives said that Ijaz was allowed to show his handset to an expert at the Pakistan High Commission in London and then take his handset back with him. They claimed that terms of reference for the forensic examination were based on Ijaz’s conditions. They further complained that the selection of forensics expert was not conducted through a transparent procedure. They, however, said that these and other objections will be raised before the Supreme Court, once the commission presents its report.

They argued that legally, Haqqani had never refused to provide evidence and withdrew from proceedings only after he was not given opportunity to record statement in the same way as another witness in the case.

The commission had rejected an application from Haqqani to record his testimony to the commission via a video link from the Pakistani High Commission in UK in the presence of the commission’s secretary. Justice Qazi Faez Isa, chairing the commission, had ruled that threats cited by applicant were not credible enough to constitute a life threat, hence no case could be made for recording testimony via videoconference.

Haqani's lawyers said that several of the Commission’s decisions including rejection of documents submitted by Haqqani and refusal to allow him to record statement by videoconference could be the basis for legal challenges later both in Pakistan and international courts on grounds of failure to provide Haqqani equal treatment.

These lawyers point out that Mansoor Ijaz’s documents were all accepted into evidence and any technical shortcomings such as absence of notarisation were allowed to be corrected. All of Haqqani’s submissions were rejected summarily on technical grounds such as signature not being on each page or telephone company not submitting bills directly, without affording a chance to the respondent to address the technical objection.

The Supreme Court has extended the term of the commission by four weeks on May 10, 2012 to complete its findings.]]>
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			<title>Deadline extended: Court grants memo commission another four weeks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/377167/deadline-extended-court-grants-memo-commission-another-four-weeks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/377167/deadline-extended-court-grants-memo-commission-another-four-weeks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 12 05:48:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=377167</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Govt’s attorney opposes move, but gives no reason.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Thursday extended the deadline for the Memogate commission to complete its findings by four weeks.


The extension, however, was opposed by the government’s attorney.

Deputy Attorney General Dil Muhammad Ali Zai said that sufficient time had already been given to the commission for the purpose.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heading a 10-member bench, asked Zai on whose instructions he was opposing the extension which was requested by the commission’s acting secretary.

Zai said his boss, attorney general Irfan Qadir, had asked him to oppose the move.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja asked if there was a reason for the opposition. Zai replied he had no reason but was under instructions to oppose the idea.

Other parties in the case, meanwhile, expressed no concern in this regard.

In its written order, the court observed that it failed to understand why the government was opposing the extension, knowing that the commission is in the final stage to conclude its recommendations and has requested some time for the purpose.

Three chief justices of High Courts are sitting on the bench and they realise that this task should be completed as soon as possible, the chief justice said to the government’s attorney.

You are still opposing this, he added.

The attorneys for the two central characters, Mansoor Ijaz and Husain Haqqani, were not present at the hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>SC extends Memo commission’s deadline by four weeks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/376777/sc-extends-memo-commission%e2%80%99s-deadline-by-four-weeks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/376777/sc-extends-memo-commission%e2%80%99s-deadline-by-four-weeks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 12 13:29:48 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Electronic devices of Mansoor Ijaz were forensically tested by an expert at the Pakistan High Commission in London.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Thursday gave four more weeks to the judicial commission probing the Memogate scandal to complete its findings.

The government’s attorney opposed the extension, saying that sufficient time had already been given to the commission for the purpose.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heading a 10-member larger bench asked Deputy Attorney General Dil Muhammad Alizai that on whose instructions was he opposing the application of Memo commission’s acting secretary.

Alizai, in reply, said that Attorney General Irfan Qadir told him to oppose this move.  Justice Jawwad S Khawaja asked Alizai for the reason behind this opposition, but he said that he had no reason and was only under instructions.

Other respondents of the case expressed no concern in this regard.

The court, in its written order, observed that it had failed to understand why the government was opposing the time extension decision of the Supreme Court knowing well that the commission is already in its final phase to conclude recommendations and it has required some time for this purpose.

The chief justice asked the government’s lawyer, “Do you know three chief justices of the high courts are sitting in the bench and they realise that the task should be completed as soon as possible but you are instead opposing this?”

Asma Jahangir, the counsel of former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani, and Akram Sheikh, the counsel for Mansoor Ijaz were not present in the court.

Ijaz's electronic devices forensically tested

The secretary of the Judicial Commission tasked with probing the Memogate scandal, has completed the forensic examination of all electronic devices of Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Sources familiar with the matter reported that the examination was carried out by forensic experts at the Pakistani High Commission in London on Thursday under the supervision of the secretary of the commission Raja Jawad Abbas.

All the devices including BlackBerry handsets of Ijaz, the central character of the memogate scandal, were tested.

The Judicial Commission had ordered the forensic examination of Ijaz’s electronic devices on May 5.

After the tests, Ijaz, while talking exclusively to The Express Tribune said that all devices were forensically tested in an eight hour long process. He said that he could not comment on outcome of the tests.

The test results will now be submitted to the commission in “simple language along with an affidavit.”]]>
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			<title>Memogate scandal: Forensic test of Ijaz’s BlackBerry ordered</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374747/memogate-scandal-forensic-test-of-ijaz%e2%80%99s-blackberry-ordered</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374747/memogate-scandal-forensic-test-of-ijaz%e2%80%99s-blackberry-ordered#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 06 May 12 03:36:57 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Secretary may request Supreme Court to grant another extension.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The judicial commission probing the Memogate case on Saturday issued directives to the secretary of the commission to travel to London to conduct forensic tests of Mansoor Ijaz’s BlackBerry that was allegedly used in the preparation of the controversial memo.  


After three days of consecutive proceedings of the commission headed by Justice Qazi Faez Esa at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the panel directed its secretary Raja Jawad Abbas to travel to London for the forensic examination of the cell phone in question.

It was further revealed that a forensic expert will carry out the test without any interference of the involved parties and the report would be in “simple language along with an affidavit”.

It was established that the secretary may also request the Supreme Court to grant another extension to the judicial commission, since there was no clarity as to how long the expert could take to compile the forensic report.

Meanwhile, former ambassador Husain Haqqani’s counsel Sajid Tanoli opposed the order of forensic examination, contending that it should have been conducted during Ijaz’s cross-examination in London. However, the commission rejected his request.

The commission also rejected Tanoli’s application in which he sought to enter into the case record some documents including a reply from Research In Motion (RIM) and an additional medical certificate — on the grounds that they were unsigned and not original documents.

Earlier, Ijaz’s counsel Akram Sheikh said that his client – the self-confessed whistleblower – was still willing to provide his BlackBerry phone to the commission; however he claimed that Haqqani had filed for damages against his clients in the US.

He added that the BlackBerry set was needed for his defence in the damages suit in the US and if he provides them for the forensic examination,
he would not have any defence evidence for the defamation case.

On the other hand, Haqqani’s counsel said he was unaware of any legal notices served to Ijaz in the US on his client’s behalf.

On last day of the hearing, legal representatives of both the parties involved completed their arguments and Zahid Bukhari, another counsel for Haqqani, summed up his arguments saying that Ijaz’s character was not reliable and the memo scandal was as a conspiracy hatched against Pakistan.

Bukhari in his arguments said that the entire episode was based on Ijaz’s statements, who could not prove anything substantial.

He said, “Mr Iajz is a dubious man who himself confessed that he had links with over two dozen intelligence agencies of the world”.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Memogate scandal: Commission orders forensic test of Ijaz's BlackBerry</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374485/memogate-scandal-commission-orders-forensic-test-of-ijazs-blackberry</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374485/memogate-scandal-commission-orders-forensic-test-of-ijazs-blackberry#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 05 May 12 11:31:09 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[obaid.abbasi]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Commission secretary Raja Jawad Abbas to go to London for forensic tests. Requests SC for commission's term...]]>
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				<![CDATA[The judicial commission probing the Memogate scandal on Saturday, has decided to send its secretary to London for conducting forensic tests on Mansoor Ijaz’s Blackberry phone and computer. This act though prompted Husain Haqqani’s counsel to boycott the commission proceedings.

After three days consecutive proceeding of the commission headed by Justice Qazi Faiz Esa at Islamabad High Court (IHC), the commission has 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 the preparation of alleged memo.

The commission’s order stated that the secretary and the parties may be present at the time of forensic examination and directed the counsel to provide the telephone numbers to the secretary.

The commission directed that a forensic expert will carry out the test without any interference of the parties. The expert will then file report of his findings, which should be in simple language along with an affidavit.

It further observed that commission is due to expire on May 12, 2012. On this account, the secretary requested the Supreme Court (SC) to provide an extension to the commission, since it is not known how long the expert will take to compile the forensic examinations report.

Meanwhile Sajid Tanoli who replaced Zahid Bukhari as the counsel for Husain Haqqani, 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 Akram Sheikh Counsel of the Mansoor Ijaz said that his client is willing to provide his BlackBerry phones and computer to the commission for examination. However, he claimed that Husain Haqqani had filed a damages suit against his clients in US and a legal notice has been sent to his client in the US. Sheikh said that the BlackBerry sets were needed for his defense and if he provides them for forensic examination, he would not have any defence evidence in the defamation case.

Meanwhile, Tanoli maintained that he was unaware of any legal notices served to Mansoor Ijaz in the US on behalf of his client.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Decision pending on forensic verification of Ijaz's electronic devices</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374033/appearing-before-memogate-commission-for-the-last-time-zahid-bukhari</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/374033/appearing-before-memogate-commission-for-the-last-time-zahid-bukhari#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 12 10:16:58 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Counsels conclude argument as Ijaz extends another offer for Commission to examine his phone, computer in London.]]>
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				<![CDATA[After the Commission completes proceedings today, it will issue a decision on whether forensic reports of electronic messages on Mansoor Ijaz’s devices was necessary or not, even as Ijaz made one last offer to the commission to have his equipment examined by a commission official in London, Experss News reported late on Friday evening.

The Judicial Commission, which had been tasked by the Supreme Court to probe the Memogate scandal, whether Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US had either directed or dictated a memo with controversial contents , saw all the counsels wrap up their arguments on Friday.

Husain Haqqani's counsel Zahid Bukhari summed up his arguments where he told the court that Ijaz was of dubious character, who has not been able to back up his statements with proof. He added that Haqqani had not been kicked out nor forced to resign, instead he offered his resignation voluntarily.

The counsel added that according to the statement submitted by former US national security adviser General (r) James Jones, Mansoor Ijaz did not mention Haqqani even once.

Ijaz did not even appear before the parliamentary committee while Haqqani has denied having any connection with the memo, Bukhari maintained.

Bukhari added that he is appearing before the Memogate judicial commission for the last time on Friday owing to his personal commitments.

“As you wish,” replied Justice Faez Esa, the commissions head.

Justice Esa ordered his assistant to contact Ijaz’s lawyer, Akram Sheikh asking him to present Ijaz’s BlackBerry sets to the commission.

Mansoor Ijaz, through his counsel said that he was ready to present his BlackBerry handset and computer to the secretary of the commission for inspection, however, any inspection will take place in London.

Earlier, Akram Sheikh and the Deputy Attorney General had already completed their arguments.

The Commission observed that only after a decision is taken on the forensic reports will its findings be filed to the Supreme Court.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Haqqani, Ijaz counsels conclude arguments</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/373712/memogate-haqqani-ijaz-counsels-conclude-arguments</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/373712/memogate-haqqani-ijaz-counsels-conclude-arguments#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 12 18:31:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[obaid.abbasi]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Commission adjourned proceedings till Friday.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Judicial commission probing the Memogate scandal, heard concluding arguments from lawyers of Husain Haqqani and Mansoor Ijaz at the Islamabad High Court on Thursday.

Former Pakistan ambassador to US, Husain Haqqani restated his case for submitting his statement via video conference, before asking the commission to provide him unedited copies of all video recordings of the proceedings along with transcripts.

Haqqani’s counsel, Zahid Bukhari maintained that his clients was interested in recording his statement via video link and requested that the commission provide him with that opportunity.

However, Justice Qazi Faiz Essa, heading the commission, reminded him that Haqqani’s application in that regard had already been rejected.

Responding to the request of providing unedited copies of transcripts and video recordings, Justice Essa told Haqqani’s attorney that the commission is not bound to provide them with each and every thing. On this Bukhari said that proceeding of the commission is a piece of evidence and  many things took place during four month’s of proceedings, and that it was his legal right to be provided with complete copy of video recordings and transcripts.

Earlier on the previous date of the hearing, the commission had directed all lawyers to conclude their respective arguments.

During the course of the hearing on Thursday, Akram Sheikh, the counsel for Mansoor Ijaz, concluded his arguments.

In his argument, Sheikh maintained that Haqqani had given contemptuous interviews to three different local and international television channels on which he criticised the judicial commission and the Supreme Court.

While submitting copies of the interviews before the commission, Sheikh said that on the one hand Haqqani was reluctant to record his statement before the commission, while on the other he criticised the commission’s proceeding by giving interviews in the media.

He said that his client, Mansoor Ijaz, had recorded his statement and provided the necessary details, but Haqqani neither provided the court with his Blackberry mobile hand set, nor recorded his statement.

Haqqani’s counsel, however, opposed Sheikhs arguments. Bukhari said that Akram Sheikh was trying to divert the commission’s attention and requested the commission to focus on concluding arguments.

The lawyers of other petitioners’ including Barrister Zafarullah Khan and Advocate Salahuddin Mengal were not present during the hearing. They are due to start their concluding arguments on Friday.

After Sheikh had concluded his arguments, the commission adjourned the hearing till Friday. Commission is likely to submit its findings before May 12, when SC six weeks extension is due to expire.]]>
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			<title>Memogate: Haqqani restates case for video conference testimony</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/373074/memogate-haqqani-restates-case-for-video-conference-testimony</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/373074/memogate-haqqani-restates-case-for-video-conference-testimony#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 12 17:15:31 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Information pertaining to the Secret Services Expenditure also submitted in a sealed envelope.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Citing health reasons and ‘credible’ threats to his life, Pakistan’s former ambassador to US, Husain Haqqani has said that he could not immediately travel to Pakistan to present his testimony in person. He also restated his case for equality in being allowed to appear before the memo probe commission via video conference. A record of Secret Service Expenditure in a sealed envelope was also submitted.

In a written statement issued by Haqqani on the eve of the Judicial Commission resuming its proceedings after a weeklong recess, Haqqani restated his arguments that he was undergoing treatment at the Advanced Cardiology Centre in Washington. And that his health did not allow him to undertake long, exacting flights, such as the one from Washington to Pakistan.

He added that apart from his health, he also faced threats against his life, a fear which Haqqani said has been communicated to the Attorney General of Pakistan. “I informed the respected Attorney General of Pakistan about threats to my person emanating from Pakistan through an email, while the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is also conducting an inquiry into such threats,” he said.

The former ambassador further claimed that he had written a letter to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, who had subsequently submitted it to the judicial commission.”

Explaining his reasons for not coming to Pakistan, Haqqani stated that the stress of travelling along with the strain on his health was compounded by the threat he faced. In such circumstances, he argued, a visit to Pakistan would seriously impact his health adversely. Additionally he faces the threat of assassination, or at least physical harm.

The court had earlier rejected Haqqani’s arguments that he faced ‘credible’ threat to his life, and request for video conferencing as equal treatment.

Equal treatment

Haqqani, who has been calling for equal treatment, restated his case for being allowed to record his testimony via video conference.

The former ambassador's initial request had been rejected by the commission. Haqqani had filed a petition in the Supreme Court, requesting that he should be allowed to present his testimony via a video link, a facility extended to Mansoor Ijaz, the chief proponent of the case. The Supreme Court, however, referred the petition to the commission probing the matter. On April 26, the commission headed by Justice Faez Issa rejected the petition, directing Haqqani to honour his undertaking for leaving the country and appear before the bench.

In his reply, due to be submitted to the commission on Thursday, Haqqani contended that the commission had “altered the circumstances under which that undertaking [to appear before the court on four days notice] was given by allowing Mansoor Ijaz to record his statement by video conference several days after the Supreme Court’s order of January 30.”

The former ambassador went on to say that if the commission had made it clear that such an option would be made available to Mansoor Ijaz while seeking extension of its mandate on January 30, 2012, I would not have given the undertaking and would have sought equal treatment right then.”

Haqqani submits secret fund, property details

Following the Judicial Commission’s order to submit details of the properties owned by the former ambassador in the US and utilisation of the secret fund made available to him as the ambassador of Pakistan to the US, Haqqani submitted the relevant details, the latter of which in a sealed envelope.

Haqqani said that he owned a single flat in Washington, which he had procured along with his wife on mortgage in 2004, when he worked as a professor at the Boston University. He added that this remained the sole property he had procured in the United States, and no assets were procured during his time as Pakistan’s envoy.

He also submitted information relating to the use of Secret Service Expenditure in a sealed envelope. However, Haqqani termed it a frivolous demand of the counsel for garnering media attention. He added that the demand carried utter disregard of its implications for the conduct of Pakistan’s foreign relations, national security and the Secret Service Expenditure rules.

The full statement can be read here.]]>
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			<title>Memogate scandal: Haqqani’s request for video testimony rejected</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/370650/memogate-scandal-haqqani%e2%80%99s-request-for-video-testimony-rejected</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/370650/memogate-scandal-haqqani%e2%80%99s-request-for-video-testimony-rejected#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 12 03:48:34 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Counsel cites safety and health concerns behind reluctance to return to Pakistan.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The judicial commission probing the Memogate scandal on Thursday turned down Hussain Haqqani’s request that his statement be recorded from abroad via a video link.

Haqqani’s counsel Zahid Bukhari had submitted an application to the Memo commission that sought permission for recording the former ambassador’s statement through video link. The application maintained that Haqqani’s doctors had advised against frequent travel. Bukhari also cited security concerns for his client’s reluctance to return to Pakistan earlier.

“I do not deny the importance of my client’s statement, but due to security threats and his medical condition I request the commission to record his testimony at the Pakistan Embassy in the US,” Bukhari told the commission.

When questioned by the chairman of the commission Justice Qazi Faez Isa regarding the security threats, Bukhari claimed his client had received numerous threatening messages on Facebook and Twitter.

Justice Isa said messages through social media did not necessarily equate to threats against life and asked him to identify which individual or organisation was behind the threats.

The commission also questioned Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri regarding steps to ensure Haqqani’s presence in Pakistan. The DAG, however, denied receiving any written request pertaining to the matter. Jahangiri also refused the commission’s directives to put Haqqani’s name on the Exit Control List.

While rejecting Haqqani’s application, the commission directed him to divulge details of the funds spent during his tenure as an ambassador. The commission also asked his counsel to list his property. Bukhari, in response, maintained that his client had a single bank account in the Abpara branch of the National Bank of Pakistan with a balance of Rs150,000. “My client has no property, he is a poor man,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, Mansoor Ijaz’s counsel Akram Sheikh requested the court to end Haqqani’s right of audience (right of representation).

“Haqqani is continuously disobeying court orders despite giving an undertaking to the apex court… as such his right of representation should be finished,” Sheikh told the commission. His application, however, was rejected as well.

The hearing has been adjourned till May 3. It is expected the commission will hear the case on a daily basis once it resumes.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2012.]]>
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