Memogate: Interpol to be contacted about Ijaz, says Malik
The minister went on to say that Ijaz had not only violated the law but also passed ‘false statements’ against the armed forces and leadership of Pakistan.
Responding to allegations levelled by Ijaz about the government as well as former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani being in the know about the May 2 operation in Abbottabad, Malik said the US itself had admitted that neither were aware of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
“Pakistan has always been asked to do more but it is time for the US to take action against the person who is violating its law by misguiding the international community,” Malik emphasised, while talking to the media after a meeting held to review the law and order situation during Muharram.
It remains to be seen whether Malik’s statements will actually translate into action, although he did say that ‘all the information’ relating to the Pakistani-American businessman has been collected and that Interpol will be approached for further investigation.
SC involvement
Perhaps in an attempt to switch focus from Haqqani’s alleged involvement in the scandal to Ijaz, Malik also asked Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to approach the Supreme Court over Ijaz’s role, adding that the government will ‘extend its support’ in such a situation. At the same time, he downplayed recent executive-judiciary tensions by responding to a question saying that the government would honour and implement the SC’s decision on Haqqani.
However, he also referred to the SC’s orders to place Haqqani on the Exit Control List, saying that the former ambassador had no intention of leaving Pakistan and if he had wanted to leave, he would never have come back in the first place.
Bonn rhetoric continues
Regarding Pakistan’s noted absence from the Bonn Conference, which started on Monday, Malik said the government’s decision to not participate was ‘in accordance with the aspirations of the people’. Continuing the government’s recent swing towards anti-US rhetoric, he highlighted that as many as 36,000 people had been killed in the war against terrorism in Pakistan, while around $65 billion had been ‘wasted’ in the war. “We will not allow anyone to violate the sovereignty of the country at any cost. We feel proud of our nation, which knows how to defend the frontiers of the country”, he added.
‘Nawaz had to go to the SC’
Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah defended PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s decision to take the memogate issue to court, saying that the case was ‘serious’ enough to be taken to the SC.
Talking to the media after reviewing Muharram arrangements in Faisalabad, Sanaullah said
the PML-N did not knock at SC’s door to go after ‘a single man’, but, rather, it hoped for strict action against all those ‘responsible’ for the memo, especially under article six of the Constitution, which deals with high treason.
He also took a swipe at former federal law minister Babar Awan, saying on the one hand he claims to be a lawyer holding a doctor of law degree, while on the other, he is misguiding the people about the Supreme Court.
(WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHAMSUL ISLAM IN FAISALABAD)
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2011.
COMMENTS (34)
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@Safia Noureen: very funny stance. Today when the corruption and misappropriation of Govt resources is rampant, Chief Justice of Pakistan is the only stumbling block in the way. Unfortunately every institution in Pakistan from Railway to National insurance has been pushed to bankruptcy by the ruling corrupt lot. Courts are not interested in removing the Government but they are definitely interested in checking the rampant corruption which has destroyed our economy. In my opinion instead of criticizing the courts we should protest against the corruption of our rulers.
If Mansoor Ijaz (never a Pakistani) shady and shifty character is so reliable then his demands to the US Govt that ISI regarded as terrorists organization should be true. Pakistani ISI cannot take it both ways. What suits them is truth, otherwise he is a liar. Make a decision please, he cannot be both at the same time. The Courts in Pakistan have even stopped trying to appear neutral. Appointing a man considered loyal to the judiciary and the opposition to head a committee against government. The government should step up and submit a reference against the Chief Justice for blatant partisanship, maligning the name of judiciary and conspiracy to destabilize the government which would be treatable under high treason. The Courts may or may not succeed in getting rid of government but they will surely succeed in a crash in stock market, devaluation in rupee and another round of shake up in investor confidence.
Mallik knows how to deal witn the situation .
Pakistan can not quir the war against terrorism . then how can she think of a war with terrorism without America . Botn have to be togather . It is there mutual requirement , India and rest of the world is catalysing this process .
Why are we discussing so much about one man. But the truth is, PPP governement is hiding itslef. There are some tuchy points, firstly Cotectna kickbak of USD 63million. And now the Supreme court enquiry on memogate. Seems like "when there is smoke, there is fire". If Babar Awan and Malik are right than why worry for a judicial enquiry?. Anyways, after the demise of the great lady, we must rename the PPP- Pakistan Poker (liars Poker/bluff) Party.
For God's sake, what is the Interior Minister of the Government of Pakistan saying; that one common American citizen is trying to destabilize our country? What kind of nonsense is that? Does he not even think for a moment before he opens his mouth? The Interior Minister should be ashamed of himself for making such a statement. In fact the government should immediately sack him for this. Has Pakistan come to such a pass that a single individual can destabilize it? I feel ashamed of this crap from our Minister and he should apologize even before NATA apologizes for its mistake in murdering our soldiers. This is the last straw and the Minister must go.
He is trying and you already have destabilized this country Mr. Malik !
Come on.......say something credible ,you are yourself destabilising this beautiful country.
What about others who are destablising Pakistan from inside??? Dangers are high inside rather than outside. We should unite against culprits.
There is no evidence against Lashker-e-Toiba leader Hafeez Saeed to arrest and prosecute him for 26/11 attacks on India but enough evidense against Mansoor Ijaz ( accused fo writing a letter ) for arrest and prosecution ?
He's probably an Indian agent !!!
Mansoor got his 15 minutes of fame/shame with this memo. He actually admitted that he wrote the memo and delivered it. HH did not write or deliver the un-signed memo. Why would a proven hater of Pakistan who authored and delivered the memo becomes the star witness for Gen Pasha and all the rightwing Pakistanis? MI's demands that ISI be branded a terrorists organization is false with all his hate against Pakistan on Fox News, but his allegations against Pakistan's elected govt are all true! Either he is a liar and a Pakistan hater or he is a good man? He cannot be both! The army is picking and choosing what it wants.
funny. How fragile is this country that one lone person can destabilize it.
What is the U.S. supposed to do, exactly, that it already has not? Ijaz is not claiming to represent the U.S. so he isn't breaking American laws. Nobody forced Pakistanis to listen to him. He gabbed away and Pakistanis gobbled him up, just as the Restoration English fell for the lies of Titus Oates.
Mansoor Ijaz is a CIA plant. One day we will find out.
Rehman Malik on Monday called on the United States to take action against Pakistani-American Mansoor Ijaz . What action is the USA suppose to take? In the USA freedom of speech is protected by the constitution. Even if Ijaz is lying there is nothing the USA govt can do -- it's up to the individual who has been defamed to sue Ijaz for damages in civil court. . Ijaz lost his credibility in the USA sometime ago after he repeatedly provided false intel. Why anyone who is suppose to be sophisticated would use him on a highly sensitive mission is beyond me.
Why is mr ijaaz so much disturbed?normally a lobbyistvwill keep quiet and not reveal the name of the person he is acting for ALSO let us presume that Zardari ordered this memo, doesn't it show that the real people controlling the country are men in uniform and democratic govt is week.No one should forget that Nawaz sharif tried the same trick
Every one knows that Osama Bin Laden was fighting US war when the former Soviet Union troops invaded Afghanistan.
OBL turns his back from US after the SU troops left Afghanistan and a friend of US turned into a foe.
Finally US got him at Abbottabad and US Navy Seal’s killed OBL on ay 02, 2011. After the death of OBL, US wanted another person who should act on its instructions.
After OBL, US activated Mansoor Ijaz to destroy the peace and shaking various governments in South East Asia.
The first priority of Mansoor Ijaz was how to create a chaos in Pakistan and to remove the politically elected government and then his next step will be how to deal with Pakistan’s armed forces.
If the politically elected government and armed forces will not allow Mansoor Ijaz to enter its various ranks, he won’t be able to destabilize Pakistan.
Incompetence everywhere in Pakistan, name an organization, a business or any public entity that is comparative to any second-class business?
It is best to expose the truth for humanity,s sake.
wow Pakistan is so fragile that a single person with few words can destabilize it. Mansor Ijaz is doing it without the help of usual suspects CIA, Mosad, RAW etc. Why are we giving him more credit than he deserves? A person can not be bigger than a nation and please do not give him a place in the history by issuing irresponsible statements. He got his 15 mins of fame let him disappear and do not keep him in the news cycle.
So now the time has come that an single individual is capable of Destabilising the Land of Pure !!!!! Perhaps he has WMD's tucked in his suitcase!!!!
What a Country!
Just One American Citizen can de-stabilize????????????
All our Govt depts made x 0!!!!!!!
hahahahahahaha
Wow, one man sitting outside the country, with no political backing can destabilize a nuclear power country where a "so called democratic government (big joke)" is ruling it. If this is true and possible, then this ruling government members and leaders should be publicly whipped and lashed as rewards for their incompetence and corruption. If Mansoor Ijaz is so effective and powerful, then he should rule this country. Capable and clever people are required who are dedicated and honest to their tasks, not like this group of goons and clowns in power at the moment. This guy Malik says, Ijaz should be taken to court and be prosecuted. DO IT. You Malik are the interior minister, what is stopping you. At least the truth will come out, and you know what Malik, your boss could be implicated and indicted to be the frontline man in this treason act. SO, why dont you take Ijaz to court. He is loudly saying this and pushing for you or your boss to take him to court. Sue him, and do it now.
One single man is trying to destabilise Pakistan? A joke invented by corrupt politicians. They have portrayed Pakistan as an unstable nation which can be shaken to its roots by a whiff of a political wind. Mr Malik should not waste time of the nation with the allegations. He should go to the truth and get answers. Thats what we all want. And by the way, Malik should declare his assets and then we will come to know who is more honest.
Remember what Zulfiqar Mirza said about this Rehman Malik?
Mansoor may be worst person on the surface of the earth but why PPP is allergic to the Supreme Court Inquiry commission? The way Babar Awan and other PPP stalwarts have reacted to Supreme Court's orders, it only proves that Haqqani - Zardari network is actually responsible for the memo.
The Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan should issue a notice to Interpol for the arrest and production of Mansoor Ijaz in a Pakistani court.
The man sitting at a distance is telling lies every day. When he will be arrested and produced before the Magistrate he will start speaking the truth.
Pakistan’s future diplomatic and bilateral relations with the US also depend on how US government cooperates with the government of Pakistan in handing over Mansoor Ijaz.