‘Put Haqqani on ECL, try him for treason’
A writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court seeking directions to the federal government to place Ambassador Hussain Haqqani’s name on the Exist Control List (ECL).
The petition also asks that high treason proceedings be initiated against Pakistan’s ambassador to the US for violating the Constitution.
Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain Rajpoot has filed the petition through Barrister Iqbal Jaffree.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik, opposition leader in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq and Cabinet Secretary Nargis Sethi have been named as respondents in the petition.
The petition says that Haqqani’s derogatory letter – that he sent through a US-based businessman Mansoor Ijaz – to former US military chief, Mike Mullen had tarnished the image of both Pakistan and its armed forces. It described the letter as an attempt to hand over Pakistan’s sovereignty to America.
The petitioner pleaded that Haqqani, who holds dual nationality – of Pakistan and USA – was appointed ambassador to Sri Lanka against merit during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure as prime minister. But Haqqani then changed his loyalties and became a member of PPP, said the petitioner. He was made Pakistan’s ambassador to the USA in violation of merit again, the petitioner submitted. The petitioner requested that a lie detector test be used to determine whether Haqqani is telling the truth.
In the same petition, Rajpoot requested the court to direct all respondents to declare their assets, held in Pakistan and abroad, along with affidavits. He further prayed the court to initiate proceedings against them.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2011.
COMMENTS (16)
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@Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui: It was not unrealistic the point I have made was in context of the media who trusted Mansoor Ijaz an American Citizen than Hussain Haqqani who is Pakistani.
Tip of the ice-berg. Pull the strings and see who else is attached down the line.
@John Bosco: I am afraid your Argument is totally unrealistic.
@Factsnotfairies: Green card holder since when or how long? a lot of people knows about when the Oath comes in - a lot of people take a day off in celebration of becoming a US citizen. You can delay the taking of Oath but I would highly doubt that anyone would want to just keep living on green card :)
For the millionth time, Husain is NOT a dual national! Farah Ispahani is a naturalized American citizen. Husain has a green card. That's NOT the same as being a "U.S. national."
I feel like Haqqani's biggest failing has consistently been the people he affiliates himself with. Having read his book and seen him speak numerous times, he is clearly incredibly rational, intelligent and a big picture thinker, yet throughout his career he has been battered and pushed around by whatever corrupt political party he has hitched his wagon to. It truly makes one wonder if there is any place in Pakistani politics for such a reasonable man?
Musharraf also sold Pakistani basis to Americans. How many Military Generals stood up against him then? Did ISI chief of that time asked him for an answer? It is not military's job to keep a check on the civilians.
The petition filed by Mr. Rajput is smart move, but being a student of Law, I think that its little too early to launch such a petition, as Mr. Haqanni is already under trial before the High Govt. and Military officials in order to investigate whether he is involved in this matter in any way or not. But yes Court can order the existing govt. to restrict Haqanni' movement.
@Factsnotfairies: Ispahani is a US citizen? Good Lord - how can she serve the Pakistani people through public office if she has taken an oath of allegiance to USA? Can someone explain this please - do Pakistani laws allow this?
Then you'll have to include everyone above him. There is no way Haqqani could make good on the deals with the US listed in that memo by himself. He lacks the authority. If it's true, it's almost impossible that he worked alone and without requests from someone who actually can make those decisions and put the actions into motion. His job description is to be a mouth piece for Pakistan. Of course he'll relay what is requested. He's not doing his job if he doesn't. Though in the end, I'd rather see the people saying its treason hang for their blasphemy towards common sense. You can't overthrow anyone when you're already in the official top position. It was protective in nature, as well. It was only if the army decided to try to commit treason by overthrowing the government again and considering the army is who they rely on for defense and protection, that leaves them with no way to defend themselves if it happened without requesting assistance for that "what if" scenario.
Hang him high !!!
Unbelievable! It has not proved whether Mr. Haqqani is behind on this or not. However the media and like minded people has filed the petition also asks that high treason proceedings be initiated against Pakistan’s ambassador to the US for violating the Constitution. There is no country in the world to trust other than its own people. It has to be decided who is right Mansoor Ijaz or Hussain Haqqani but he has already been declared dishonest. One must learn from USA how Raymond Davis was supported by USA despite what had happened in Pakistan.
We are happy to eliminate puppets but not willing to cut real hands.
Haqqani isn't a dual citizenship holder. He's a Pakistani national who is a Green Card holder that entitles him to live in the US on a fairly permanent basis. Farahnaz Ispahani is a US citizen but Haqqani definitely isn't. This has been cleared up in the past.
Easier said than done. Pakistan is King of Conspirators and Conspiracies. We would not be in such dire straits had Pakistan's leadership not been habitually and consistently deceitful and collusive with Foreign Powers. This is in our genes. Heard of Mir Jaffer, Mir Sadiq, Zia ul Haq, Musharraf, etc., etc., How can we rid our self of this genetic defect????
YES...I agree