The central character in the Memogate scandal, American businessman Mansoor Ijaz said on Friday that the parliamentary committee probing into the case cannot summon him because he is not a Pakistani national.
Expressing his reservations on appearing in front of the parliamentary committee, Ijaz said that his legal adviser is reviewing the notice of parliamentary committee that had summoned him.
The US citizen said that he was considering taking up the matter with the Supreme Court of Pakistan and that he will decide whether he will appear in front of the committee or not.
The committee had summoned Ijaz on January 26.
Ijaz’s Counsel Akram Sheikh has confirmed that he will appear in front of the judicial commission investigating the Memogate scandal on January 24.
Earlier on Thursday, Ijaz was granted a one year multiple-entry visa to Pakistan.
The American businessman had visited the the Pakistan High Commission in London, where he was granted the visa.
Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik had earlier said that he cannot guarantee if Ijaz will be arrested on his arrival or not.
Rehman had said that he will follow court orders in this regard.
However, the interior minister had said that he will provide complete security to him from the time he lands in Islamabad to his entire stay.
COMMENTS (54)
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@Amjad: Did he come canvassing to Haqqani? Why not ask Haqqani why he hobnobbed with shady characters?
@Khan: The dangers in the US for foreigners are almost non-existent in comparison to the dangers for foreigners in Pakistan. The US probably also pays the travel costs. It's more like a small vacation rather than a death sentence.
Anyone in the world outside Pakistan can turn your world upside down and just laugh. It's apparently very easy to do, as well... and it's your own fault. Most people would ignore the man or just tell him to shutup.
True you are not Pakistani Mr Mansoor but you here because you WERE a Pakistani and moreover to remain true to the grit it requires some self esteem.
mr salim@ he is a failure and it is evident from his behaviour the lier will be caught.shame security agencies have to rely on American help,as usual
@Hafiz Shah Ali:
Why is Ijaz accepting the summons of the judicial commission?
@Maryam:
"Now this is funny. If you can come happily to the Supreme Court of Pakistan then why you cannot come to the Parliamentary Committee? This guy is unpredictable and illogical. He needs not be taken seriously."
Ijaz is not being illogical at all. Think about it. He is ready to appear before the supreme court because he knows the SC is in collusion with the army. Remember, he was also happy to meet ISI chief Pasha in London. It all becomes clear if you realize that Ijaz is an ISI double agent.
Malik is playing tactics trying to scare him off so that mansoor keeps delaying his visit. Pak govt dont have the balls to arrest him. The Govt which freed raymond davies has the courage to arrest an american citizen? Keep dreaming pakis!!!
Cat out of the bag. US supporting Mansoor Ijaz.
Mansoor Ijaz claims he has US support for Pakistan visit - The News
No wonder our establishment is going out of its way to implement its master US's plan to topple to civilian government.
I like this guy.... lets see what he brings to the table....
He didn't trash Pakistan, he simply talked about the trash in Pakistan, which there is no dearth of...
I welcome him to Pakistan and wish him luck!
This guy for the last eight to ten years has appeared on FOX TV as thier "Expert" on Pakistan, and has been trashing Pakistan at every opportunity he can. He is a joke and should not be taken seriously.
@Colonel: oh yes! I forgot the "services" of "that" diplomat for Pakistan. My apologies! A Govt who has been criticizing Mansoor since his name surfaced with memo issue terming as a dubious character with respect to previous Govt of Benazir, why should a senior PPP figure like "that" diplomat maintain links with him? What benefit could he ("that" diplomat) have expected from Mansoor? Further, it is the circumstances surrounding the issue and the mysterious behaviour of "that" diplomat and his party that cast doubt. Media war game! for what? A explanation may also put me wise. As far as Ch Shujaat is concerned, the end-result will not be zero. It will surely give us some lesson, not necessarily what me and you expect to hear! Au revoir
@Tahir: A diplomat has right to meet anyone, to make contacts for the benefit of homeland, if he had links with this dubious man it does not prove that he was involved in the conspiracy, It is a media war game, whole media became insane for writing, i believe in what CH Shujaat said very confidently "The end result of MEMO will be a big 0"
@Maryam: What an irony! people are not taking Mansoor Ijaz seriously but you!
Here comes the duel between Mansoor Ijaz and Hussain Haqqani...!
The US Congress summons foreigners all the time and they do show up
Perhaps he wants to negotiate another 18 point deal before he sits down before the Parliamentary Committee. When push comes to shove I suspect his reluctance is because the SC won’t ask the tough questions that the Parliamentary Committee may ask. May all be mute anyway – it’s sill possible he maybe a no show for the SC.
He is right. It is up tomny foreign national to appear in rent of any commission or not, we always take every matter according to our wishes.he will appear where he thinks he gets benefit.
@Salim: Sensible comments at last. Thumbs Up!
@Maryam: Why he has to appear in front of the committee? On what grounds you want him to appear before the committee?
So the next time a "non-Pakistani" says anything against the current rulers, the military and the Sharifs should just stuff up and move on !
I still dont understand why 1 year multiple exit re-entry visa for Manzoor Ijaz why not 3 months? Is the case supposed to drag on for 1 year????????
Then he should keep his nose out of Pakistanis affairs.This character sounds more and more like some unstable attention seeking guy. Mr. Ijaz sounds like he is a very confused individual.
@Maryam: why would he need to appear before any committee? The guy is an american citizen! You have to give him credit for going to Pakistan to face the Supreme Court. But if he started going to all the committees, then there would be a list of every tom, dick, and harry wanting to see him in PK.
He will not show up for SC , either. Any bet?
He wants to avoid rigorous cross examination. SC Commission will treat him like almighty, whereas he will be roasted in the Parliamentary Commission. Mr. Ijaz if you have nothing to hide, and you are telling the truth you shouldn't be running away from either commissions.
Perhaps he wants to negotiate another 18 point deal before he sits down before the Parliamentary Committee. When push comes to shove I suspect his reluctance is because the SC won't ask the tough questions that the Parliamentary Committee may ask. May all be mute anyway - it's sill possible he maybe a no show for the SC.
Trust me, not everything he will 'disclose' will be music to the ears of our military/ISI
I cant get out of my head the image of Mansoor Ijaz doing his bit at the semi naked female wrestling match. He is to appear before a commission which could doom the government but it will be now difficult to take what he says seriously.
He has managed to send the whole country in a whirlspin.
This person(I.M) has the same problem with parliament as the judiciary does. This person has re-iterated what the position of the parliament in this case is, Judiciary is most important and neutral in this case not parliament, if decision of parliament is accepted, I say this with the backing of many officials and the civillian audience, that the decision will be influenced by the government. It is illogical for someone to commit the crime and then his team or area of influence make a decision on that!!!! Judiciary is the place forward for investigating and issueing decisions on this.
don't know why my sixth sense keeps telling me that he won't come :p
Mr. Mansoor Ijaz, do tell us of your meetings in the past with people on the other side of the fence i.e Nawaz, PML N etc.
If he wants to come than he should appear before both the committee and the commission. Not a fan of the current govt but really dont like the way the memo case is coming about. dont think it will lead to anywhere
Why parliamentary committee is probing into the case since Supreme court is already hearing this issue? This shows the level of trust of government has on judiciary.
Strange is the Pakistani nation. Instead of appreciating a foreign citizen for his helping us solve a national crisis, they are scolding, insulting and degrading him. It wasn't he who created the memo, it was the 'patriotic' Haqqani who architect the paper.
Mansoor Ijaz is a US citizen who is only helping us to unriddle the memo case facts. What benefit would he gain from coming to Pakistan, risking his life and giving proofs to the SC?
AAZ - the mighty President was flown to dubai because security was the main concern....as per the PM himself...what to talk of giving security to others ?? MI is right, notwithstanding his suspicious character.....
lol why in the world he is summoned by the parliamentary committee anyway ? As a foreigner, he is obliged to present in the local court thru American embassy not by any local political parliamentary committee. He is perfectly right when he said that.
He is right.Just because his name is Mansoor Ejaz they think that they can order him around.They could not do any thing to Raymond Davis who killed two Pakistanis. What can Rehman Malik do to provide him security? His apprehensions about security concerns are correct.We could not protect our own governor of Punjab or Sri Lankan Cicket team. How can we guarantee any one elses security?It would be prudent and wise if the Commitee could ask him to record his statement before them in Dubai.It would avoid unnessary embarrassment to all if any mishap should happen.
This Pakistani story is turning to be more topsy turvy than the 'Saas-Bahu' soaps of India man!!! What a turn to the story!
@MA Sidiqui. For what?
@Hafiz Shah Ali: He is making fool our whole nation . In my opinion their is vary high probability that he will not arrive in Pakistan . He is just finding the reasons for not coming .
Well, for once he's telling the truth...... he can't be summoned...thats our law?
Dear Mansoor Ijaz, next time keep this statement of yours in mind, before interfering in our domestic issues..i know you love playing judge but our internal fights are really none of your business.
Regards
Don't worry. You will be brought to Pakistan through Interpole.
Now this is funny. If you can come happily to the Supreme Court of Pakistan then why you cannot come to the Parliamentary Committee? This guy is unpredictable and illogical. He needs not be taken seriously.
He is making a valid point.