The petition was filed by Advocate Arshad Jadoon on behalf of PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif.
The Chief of Army Staff General Asfhaq Pervez Kayani, Director General ISI General Shuja Pasha, former Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani, Mansoor Ijaz, the foreign secretary and the federation have been made parties to the case in the petition.
Addressing over 20,000 at a rally in the Dhobi Ghat Ground of Faisalabad on Sunday, PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif had demanded earlier this week that an independent inquiry commission be formed “within a day or two” to investigate claims that the government sought US support to take action against its own military and intelligence services.
Failing this, the party will converge “from all provinces” in Islamabad where a petition would be filed with the Supreme Court, Sharif warned.
“If there is not an impartial inquiry into this event with the satisfaction of the people of this country, we will definitely take it up in the Supreme Court,” Sharif said.
One clear message that emerged from the otherwise chaotic rally was that the party would focus on memogate to bring the government to its knees.
During the National Assembly session this week, Opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Khan said the government must explain what was secretively going on between the civilian and military authorities since Pakistani-American Mansoor Ijaz published an article in the Financial Times claiming that President Asif Ali Zardari had offered to replace Pakistan’s military and intelligence leadership.
The memogate scandal began when Admiral Mike Mullen confirmed the existence of a controversial memo, allegedly sent by President Zardari via a trusted source. Former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani resigned after being involved in the controversy.
"It's just the beginning. It's not going to end here," former lieutenant general turned political analyst Talat Masood told AFP.
"The opposition will try to take advantage of this and definitely try to push for an early election and put pressure on the government," he added.
COMMENTS (14)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@adnan: which book are you referring to.....can you please let me know the name and author of the book.....it would be highly appreciated.
It is a very serious issue and not the political parties politics. This has raised concerns of every sensible Pakistani. The most important institutions and state sovereignty is effected by it. It needs to be inquired through a judicial commission otherwise by the Most respected Supreme Court. Mian Sab has taken the right step.
Nawaz seems to be desperate to stay on the limelight as his party is loosing in popularity. He is well aware that the army may not allow this case to go public if it damages their reputation. Maybe the army will stand to loose more than they may have bargained for. We all know that the top army personnel are as corrupt and power hungry as the politicians. I have a strong feeling that this may have been a case of entrapment and ISI could be behind it. Nawaz is trying to create a hedge between the army and the Govt in power.
@Ch Allah Daad: may be you need to mend your facts, this was not a move to please GHQ at all, rather he is trying to make the GHQ answerable to the judiciary. Nawaz is a politician with a political party, not a puppet controlled by the establishment!
This whole story looks to be another game of foreign and local hands, in an effort to destabilize the country in political sphere as well, along with other disturbances, for their hidden purpose.
Army Chief, DG ISI, President, Prime Minister...everyone must bow to court...This is called Sher...This is called Nawaz Sharif...This is called PMLN. PMLN for life <3
Is he not the same person i.e Nawaz Sharif who ran to Washington as PM of Pakistan to get support against the then Cheif of Army Staff?
Another topi drama.
Cheap politics !
another classic hide behind the courts move from this party. if you are such a proponent of parliament then have the will to discuss it on that forum too. stop hiding behind courts all the time
Great! Mian Sb is the man of words. Others specially Imran should follow mian sb to be practical rather just making allegations. Khan sb be practical!
Good move to please GHQ.
Great job Mian sahab. At least you do go to court when you promise to :)