ISLAMABAD:
It’s a bold move, but the parliamentary committee on national security will soon find out if it has acted “too big for its boots”.
The committee decided on Wednesday to summon Pakistan’s military and spy chiefs to explain their stance on the Memogate, in an apparent bid to dispel the impression that the all-party body was too weak to probe such a high-profile criminal case.
Chaired by Senator Raza Rabbani, the panel also decided to call Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US, who is at the heart of the bitter controversy which has engulfed national politics over the past two months.
A couple of the meeting’s participants told The Express Tribune that the panel was unanimous in its view that any individual and institution, irrespective of their power or position, could be summoned.
It was not immediately decided when Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Director General Inter-Services Intelligence Ahmed Shuja Pasha should appear before the committee.
The all-party and bicameral panel was assigned by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to investigate the memo allegedly sent to then-top US military commander by Haqqani to seek help against a possible military coup in Pakistan in May.
Haqqani denied any role in sending the request through Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz, whose article in the Financial Times in October triggered the controversy.
Rabbani told the media that the attorney general had been asked to send the panel all documentation submitted to the Supreme Court by military authorities and Haqqani.
The Supreme Court is holding a parallel investigation into the scandal on several petitions, one of them filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif.
There had been criticism from some quarters that the parliamentary committee did not have technical expertise to probe a case involving criminal investigations. But Rabbani said the panel would go ahead with its investigations, irrespective of the Supreme Court’s decision.
“Nothing can stop us…we will complete our task, it doesn’t matter who else is doing the same,” he said.
PML-N boycott rejected
According to Rabbani, members from the PML-N offered to abstain from the committee because the party was a petitioner in the Supreme Court. The panel’s chairman, however, said the committee unanimously turned down the offer from Senator Ishaq Dar and MNA Sardar Mehtab Abbasi.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Tuesday that his party might boycott the committee because it was irrelevant.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2011.
COMMENTS (28)
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Best of Luck Mr. Rabbani. You made us proud!!!
Good move. The parliament must unite to save democratic institutions.
Now the race is on!!
I guess this will lead to a conflic between institutions, the people are intrested in impartial inquiry, which is most expected from the corridors of Supreme Court !!!
why not let them do it....
Technically the committee is not effective as a similar case is being heard in the supreme court so both the opposition members and armed forces will abstain
@sam: it has got everything to do with democracy....a decade ago such actions were unimaginable.
Dear Rabbani don't accept boycott from the PML(N) people of this committee. Do take them with you in the committee and do summon both the Army and ISI chiefs and ask both of them hard questions. People are pakistan are standing with you.
Summoning Army and ISI chiefs to appear in committee is a great move, if we keep the memo gate case proceedings in supreme court out of our mind. A legal expert can tell whether in this situation when the proceedings are already on in Supreme Court the committe has the manadate to do the investigations. If it is not manadted then this is a wrong move and looks like a delibrate attempt of confrontation between institutions. Apart from this legal debate of mandate, this should have been done lot earlier but as usual our democratic institutions are very slow in responding. I think this is only because democartic institutions were never let flourish and they are still very immature. This immaturity brings a fear factor in the minds of democratic institutions whenever it comes to take some bold decisions.
What it got to do with democracy.They have done something wrong and they themselves want to investigate.is this democracy?? no need to get emotional about democracy guys. just chill out and take it easy.
I don't think the committee has necessary expertise and technical skills to probe such a case. This must be done by a professional body, appointed by a credible body like supreme court.
The weakest civilian government in the history of Pakistan has the courage to take the boldest step. History is being created and let us wish the Parliamentary Committee all success it rightfully deserves. In the end it would also make the Army morally strong and more respectful in the eyes of all Pakistanis.
Bravo, Mr Rabbani. Your services for democracy as an upright principled man will not be forgotten
All believers of Democracy' should support and pad the parliamentry commetti on the stance ,.. for the supremacy of Parliament.
This Summon and MOD's bold and blunt admission In SC that we dont control Army and ISI, are the two of the biggest things ever happened in Pakistan as far as Democratic Empowerment is concerned
Subhan Allah, only four years of sustained Democracy is bearing such fruits, imagine if we had it for few terms. On this, now each party should back Sen Raza Rabban and this Hon Committee. Long live democracy
Senator Raza Rabbani constantly shows his integrity, wisdom and courage. HE showed it - during the 18th amendment, - when he resigned as minister on principle when PPP joined with PML-Q, - when he refused to go to the GHQ for a briefing and said parliament was supreme and should be briefed there itself. - during the 26th november investigation he asked for all the written agreements wit US - even though people had said many times including Musharraf that nothig was in writing. But when asked for by Mr. Rabbani 9 written agreements that Mush had signed with US came to light. - and now once more by summoning Kayani and Pasha. Way to go Senator Rabbani
It looks no one is willing for any deal with Mr president. It will be interesting to see how the committee counter the SC judgements during the hearing by creating an offensive environment to get a Shahada status.
The parliamentary panel should have absolutely no fear in carrying out its task for it represents the People but it should remember its objective . . . to get to the truth of the matter and not to take "sides". The People want the truth and the panel has been empowered to find out and tell the nation. Please do your job, nothing more and nothing less.
And this what this democracy has given Pakistan. Endless committees that waste time and money of taxpayers and produce nothing of substance.
Bravo
Wow what a shot by Security Committee...Now the Game is On!
Good Move. Long live democracy.
Please invite Ch. Nisar in the proceedings as a guest member, when Pasha is interviewed.