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Mansoor Ijaz granted visa for Pakistan
Ijaz is expected to appear before the judicial commission on January 24.
Courts have directed army to provide Ijaz security. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani-American businessman, Mansoor Ijaz has, according to some media reports, been issued a visa from the Pakistan embassy in Bern, Switzerland, and will be able to travel to Pakistan on January 24 to appear before a judicial commission.
A key witness of the Memogate scandal, Mansoor Ijaz is likely to appear before the judicial commission tasked with probing the controversy on January 24. Summons for his appearance before the commission on January 16 lapsed as Ijaz deferred his travel plans to Pakistan, citing security reasons.
On Monday, January 16, Ijaz’s counsel, Akram Sheikh, during the probe’s third sitting on Monday at the Islamabad High Court building gave assurances that his client will indeed travel to Pakistan. The commission comprises chief justices from the Balochistan, Sindh and Islamabad High Courts.
However, Sheikh added that his client and his family have reservations over their security while in Pakistan and believe they may not be allowed to return home. He sought an adjournment of the hearing until the Pakistani-American businessman appears before the commission to provide his testimony. Haqqani’s counsel opposed the adjournment, however, and requested that Ijaz should not be allowed to return until the commission concludes its proceedings. Justice Qazi Faez Isa asked him to file the application before the Supreme Court.
When asked by Justice Isa, “When will [Ijaz] come, we are running short of time,” Sheikh replied that his client has applied for a visa in Pakistan’s consulate in Bern, Switzerland. He added that Ijaz would ‘hopefully’ be granted a visa within two days, however, his schedule could not be disclosed.
Earlier, the court had directed the Pakistani diplomatic missions in England and Switzerland to grant Ijaz a visa as soon as one was applied for.
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Reader Comments (25)
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big game starts now…
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Welcome jee WelcomeRecommend
Well, he ain’t scared. Now what is the next excuse to rubbish memogate?
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He is commmmmmmmming.
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Once he is here, let him stay here, but behind the bars. Let him be tried for defation of our national institution and national interest. If the Prime Minister and President of Pakistan are not immune from judicial summons and forced to appear and abide by our laws then why not this enemy.
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So this is a guy who has confessed to waging a war against Pakistan and at who’s behest did he do it is precisely what this commission is discussing. Shouldn’t he be arrested on arrival and taken as a prisoner of war?Recommend
You would think someone in the govt would know whether he has applied for a visa and whether one has actually been granted. Whether he gets on a plane and what special arrangements/conditions have been made with the SC is anyone’s guess.
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American citizens against Zardari most welcome!
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The foreign double agent and a confessed writer of the memo and delivery man has become a national hero for some. All his vitriol against Pakistan, army and ISI has been ignored and swept under the rug. As long as he can testify against the elected govt, he is the darling of rightwing forces. Why have the generals and PCO SC ignored all his other statements and writings? Govt must interrogate Mansoor regarding his all other statements if SC is not goign to do it. This is a matter of national honor and security and the elected govt should not take it lightly.
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Bravo for CJP and Army to grant visa to a CIA Agent.
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he is coming but not going till his involvement and criminal acts are investigated
this pawn of military will be scarified and disgraced
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Milk ka milk—water ka water.
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This guy is just a crook. visit the link with on my name Agent.
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Not happy to know the truth?
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He is coming to let another one go , the other one is president of this country, this is called slow motion coup. If the civil govt does its job right, and that is for the people instead of for themslef, then people stand by them ,in other case they wish them goooo and leave us.
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Those who are asking for MI to be charged with offense and jailed are only dissuading him from visiting Pakistan to testify. If you want MI to visit Pakistan and testify, MI should be given protection so that he can visit Pakistan. Yes, he can be cross examined to establish that he is telling the truth, only the truth and nothing but the truth.
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single entry or multiple entry?
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I fully back the idea of putting this man to trial on charges of destabilizing Benazir Bhutto’s previous government. Although am not a PPP supporter, I must admit its people like mansoor ijaz who need to be shown that Pakistan is not their personal property!
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@ Uza…. Ijaz is not a Pakistani and not committed any crime in Pak…. He can’t be arrested and should not be compared with Haqqani or Zardari….. The latter are Pakistanis and on the senior Government posts…. Even if Ijaz is part of the memogate, he has not done anything against his law…. where as Zardari and Haqqani have committed serious crime if linked to the memogate…. this is common sense…. get out of this sleep pls….
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Very right Osama……we are a very emotional nation & acts like a bloated balloon….once confronted with truth….bubble burst…most of these people do not read / analyse details before commenting which makes one feel that they do so just for the sake of commenting.Recommend
@Ishrat Salim:
Agree with u man………..:)
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Mansoor will come and lift the lid on Pandora’s Box. Hopefully, the ‘mother of all surreptitious activities’ will now come to an end and get a decent burial. Salams to Pakistan
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Knowing how our people i.e. politicians,bureaucrats,generals,businessmen,media persons,mullas,lawyers and public at large tell lies in everyday life Mansoor Ejaz will be speaking more truth than them.
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OMG we have guest, lets make SAMOSAS!!!
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A nightmare for Haqqani & Co. There is something very seriuous and deep dig behind the memogate issue. The involved will soon be exposed by their criticism on Mansoor Ijaz’s arrival in Pakistan.
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