Only Haqqani can clear mystery regarding memo: Ahmed Mukhtar

Mukhtar says that if Haqqani is involved in the scandal, then the prime minister will also be held accountable.


Express November 20, 2011

LAHORE: Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar on Sunday called Mansoor Ijaz a conspirator and said that only Ambassador Husain Haqqani can clear the mystery regarding the memo controversy.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Mukhtar said it will take some time to determine who drafted the secret memo allegedly delivered to former US military chief Adm Mike Mullen.

Mukhtar also said that if Haqqani is involved in the scandal, then the prime minister will also be held accountable. He added, however, that the prime minister cannot dismiss Haqqani from office without asking for an explanation.

He also said that action will surely be taken if Haqqani does not come clean, however, nothing can be said before he explains his position.

Mukhtar also vowed that all details will be brought before the public, as soon as details unfurl.

In the wake of the leaked memo controversy, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday told members of the National Assembly that Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani has been summoned to Islamabad to provide an explanation to the country’s leadership.

A memo was published online by foreign news papers, which alleged fears of a military coup in Pakistan and the army’s complicity in the Osama bin Laden raid. The memo was allegedly delivered to US Adm Mike Mullen by a Pakistani American businessman Mansoor Ijaz at the behest of Ambassador Haqqani in the week after the Bin Laden raid.

Haqqani, who has served as Pakistan’s representative to the US since 2008, denied that he had either drafted or delivered any memo. Referring to Mansoor Ijaz indirectly, the Ambassador said, “There are many businessmen in this world who claim to have a role in a country’s affairs, but they are not given importance. In Pakistan, however, one man’s claims create a crisis.”

Mullen on Thursday dropped a bombshell when he issued a statement confirming the existence of the document.

 

COMMENTS (20)

Safdar | 12 years ago | Reply

Hold it guys before you go to town with M. Haqqani. Let’s put the whole thing in perspective, Osma Bin Laden found in Pakistan was a black day for Pakistani Army. Mr. Haqqani was the one in front of the US media everyday and answering tough questions, providing good answers and saving the same Mr. Pasha’s (forensic testing of memo but not OBL shows his priority) and Kayani’s mistakes or failure. Whatever, Mr. Haqqani did as an ambassador of the country in trouble times was a justified act to deflect the criticism. In my book Mr. Haqqani is a true Patriot and job well done for which he was selected for. Rest of those who did not face American media for days, please do not double guess Mr. Haqqani. You were not there and he should not be punished for the job well done. Stop and think what is a big deal memo or OBL episode. History will treat Mr. Haqqani very well.

Tariq | 12 years ago | Reply

Since when is the Pakistan Army, which has occupied Pakistan for most of Pakistans history above the civilian government

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