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If Ijaz barred from testifying, it will prove his claims’ veracity: Imran

Published: January 23, 2012

PTI chief defends welcoming veteran politicians to his party; says political parties cannot be ‘exclusive’.

LAHORE: While rumours abound over Memogate protagonist Mansoor Ijaz’s testimony before the Supreme Court, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan has said that if Ijaz is disallowed from testifying, it will be evidence enough that his allegations are true.

Ijaz, who had claimed that no one can stop him from coming to Pakistan, eventually backtracked and decided not to come and appear before the SC. There are reports that Ijaz will now testify via teleconference from Dubai.

Imran, who was speaking on Monday at his residence in the upscale Zaman Park residential area of Lahore, also responded emphatically to a question on why he is welcoming almost everyone who wishes to join his party.

“This is a political party, not a club or non-governmental organisation where you can close doors and be exclusive,” Imran said. “You can’t ask people to present certificates of eligibility. Ask us this question when we start handing out party tickets for the general elections.”

Reader Comments (49)

  • Khan
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:16PM

    Stupid statement. I never expected such statement for IK.

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  • Mohammad Ali Siddiqui
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:21PM

    How it is possible for the Memo Scandal Commission to find out the truth without testifying Mansoor Ejaz in Pakistan?

    What is the logic behind the statement of Mr. Imran Khan that if Mansoor Ejaz will not be testified, it will prove his claim is correct?

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  • Zia
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:22PM

    Enough with the ”why are old ppl joining your party?” . . . Seriously it’s getting very very annoying .

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  • badshah
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:22PM

    Is it a judicious logic!

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  • Khan
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:23PM

    if Ijaz is disallowed from testifying
    @IK bashers: good chance to Bash IK again :)
    @TB: is this really a news which is based on big IF

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  • toor
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:25PM

    very true!

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  • Maira
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:29PM

    Mr. Khan! can you explain how this is true? Can you give guarantee that Ijaz Mansoor would be allowed to leave Pakistan after giving verdict? He is just testifying via video link. And dont worry about certificate of elegibility, only losers are coming to PTI who are not capable to win elections.

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  • badshah
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:30PM

    If testimony is so important then Mr IK why don’t you appear before an American Court in California and test your DNA to ascertain whether you are father of Seeta White’s daughter or not!

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  • Truth
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:30PM

    Imran Khan is correct. Knowing the Paki govt psychi its very likely they want to keep public in dark.

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  • Shahbaz Khan
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:31PM

    I don’t think Imran can justify this “whoever comes” policy. Saying that he will scrutinize people at the time of alloting tickets. He has already granted a key party position to Quresh, a peer who exploits poor people in the name of religion and who, by any standards, is a symbol of traditional Pakistani politics where polictical leadership is handed down generations. Similarly, he is surrounded on stage by Musharraf’s cronies whose very policies he cannot tire of criticizing. On one hand he stages dharnas against drone attacks and calls anyone a traitor who considers war on terror “our war”, on the other hand he has embraced Kasuri who being Musharraf’s FM, was the architect of our involvement in that war and used to defend that policy at every available opportunity.

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  • Ch Allah Daad
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:35PM

    If people reject PTI in election, its fault of Zardari.

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  • vasan
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:36PM

    If Izaz does not want to come to Pakistan, does this not indicate he is lying. On the other hand inspite of the hidden threats , HH came over to Pakistan and resigned as well. The fact he is provided shelter in PM’s house is definitely a proof that his life is under threat.Recommend

  • Ali
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:42PM

    why is Kaum Kay Farzand-e-Arjumand, Mansoor Ijaz not coming ? :/

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  • Concerned
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:44PM

    I have stopped trusting the Express Tribune when it comes to Imran Khan. I am glad that a liberal English daily exists in Pakistan, and completely agree with many of the viewpoints expressed in the opinions column, but when it comes to IK, there is always that bias – ET should take a leaf from the guardian website’s book when it comes to presenting unbiased news.

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  • Shuaib
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:50PM

    IK is correct to an extent even if it doesn’t prove that mansoor Ijaz is correct then at the very least it gives an impression that the govt has something to hide especially if you also consider that Hussain Haqqani has lost his BB or now the latest report is that he has left them in the states! How convenient! Also add to the fact that Hussain Haqqani has not allowed as yet the company RIM to give records of conversations between HH and Mansoor! It all seems very fishy doesn’t it not?

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  • Junaid Khan
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:57PM

    Express Tribune is so biased…. I can’t imagine… They always speculate and try to put words in readers mouth…. Pathetic

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  • Ali
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:57PM

    Dear Mr. Khan,

    Why don’t you simply declare yourself as Mansoor Ijaz’s proxy and present the evidence cache to respected judges heading the memo commission? If you have the things, roll em out dude! no ones stopping the “evidence” tsunami! Otherwise, it isn’t really cool to comment on matters that are sub judice or may be you can forward a writ petition to make yourself a jurist in momo-gate or memo-gate comm.. whatever that is.

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  • Zulfiqar
    Jan 23, 2012 - 5:58PM

    Can anyone please explain to me why Hussain Haqqani’s lawyer was in so much hurry that when he got the news that Ijaz might not come to visit Pakistan, he filed a petition to void his testimony?
    IK has a logic, Govt. from day one is trying to target every person who is included in this case i.e. Ashfaq kayani, Pasha, Mansoor Ijaz etc…. why they are so much worried about it when its just a piece of paper?
    Come on people, open your eyes and look at the ugly game these guys are playing !
    Imran Khan has every right to pass on his views, if you agree with it well and good, but if you dont, then just let it be other way !!
    Those who said IK is getting all the people who are not capable of winning elections, “YOU REALLY DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT POLITICS”

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  • Adnan Janjua
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:11PM

    i cannot understand, what Khan s wants, basically he is only cricketer nothin

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  • sashayub
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:14PM

    Imran ji, learn to respect the legal procedure of your country, if its some relief, its procedurally still the same as the UK…so now, if a man/witness refuses to testify in court, their right to come before court is taken away…because they are wasting the time and resources of the court….due to get it? Mansoor Ijaz is the main applicant as well as a witness, and if he is now REFUSING to come to court, this means his claims are wrong and he cannot claim them to be true under Oath! So, MI is the one who has to prove his claims are correct, NOT Hussain Haqqani (who you have declared guilty unless proven otherwise)

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  • jonny
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:14PM

    to the doubters, it’s simple – haqqani is pro-gov and gets to stay in protective custody in PM house – ijaz is apparently anti-gov so they will do everything to keep him out

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  • tina gul
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:16PM

    @badshah:

    When people can’t find any genuine reason against IK they start personal attacks. His personal life was his past and nothing to do with us while our current leaders stolen money belongs to pakistan and its public. do something for it and stop wasting your mental energy on useless things. And besides do u have any alternative person to lead our country beside IK who does not have any corruption charges on hi sback?

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  • R.A
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:18PM

    Imran Khan slowly becoming worse than
    old leaders in the country.
    He has become so obsessed and power hungry
    sometimes he does not know what rubbish
    he is talking.
    Ijaz was given visa in london although
    Americans should get it from America.
    Now he is making excuses about security.
    what he wants complete shut down of the country
    Please Imran Khan grow up and think before , what
    you are going to say.
    .
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  • CAT
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:19PM

    Well well! Shall we blame his education? No, really we can’t blame Oxford! Shall we blame his record? No, that speaks for itself. Who to blame? How about his new team members? Yes, this is more likely!! Blame the new team! Why wait till after elections, start now!!!!!!!!

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  • Most impressed
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:26PM

    Bush logic: if you are not with us, you are against us.
    Imrankhan logic: if you are not with me you are corrupt,if you are with me you are not corrupt.
    If you are against the govt and don’t come to testify, that confirms your truthfulness. If you are against the govt and you have testified, that confirms you are making it up. I’m most impressed

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  • TN, Advocate
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:38PM

    @ R.A.: One can apply for a visa in any country. I have received Saudi visa from their consulate in Doha. Security is a BIG CONCERN in Pakistan. I bet a lot of us for example would be not be comfortable travelling to Peshawar.
    MEMOGATE IS OUR DIRTY LAUNDRY AND IN THE WEST WE HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE CLEANERS. I don’t blame Mansoor for not coming!
    IF WE WANT THE TRUTH THEN GO BY HIS TERMS OR TAKE THE COMMISSION TO LONDON OR DUBAI!

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  • TM
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:43PM

    I guess Imran meant that IF Ijaz is stopped/disallowed from appearing to testify due to any reason from the government directly or indirectly, it would prove that he (Ijaz) is right because he has been DISALLOWED/STOPPED from testifying. And rightly said, if he can not appear to testify, no one can tell who is right and who is wrong. The blame game will go on. But IF he is stopped from testifying, it would show that the government is insecure and therefore Ijaz MAY be right.

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  • kj
    Jan 23, 2012 - 6:53PM

    IF Ijaz barred from testifying, it will prove his claims’ veracity: Imran
    the word used is “IF”
    imran khan has not said anything wrong he has given a view point. He has not made mansoor ijaz a hero…imran khan has just said if mansoor is stopped from testifying it will give an impression that mansoor is right.
    Why do pti haters have to react over every thing. And then they tell us we cant take critcism…!!!

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  • Jan 23, 2012 - 7:02PM

    It is just a slip of tongue and moreover don,t think him a brain,.. rather he is an innocent ,spirited and a little vocal leader.

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  • R.A
    Jan 23, 2012 - 7:10PM

    @ TN Advocate
    Normal procedure is to get the visa from
    the country of your residence only under
    special circumstances ( as that of Ijaz )
    it is given from other countries.Memogate
    is our dirty laundry Ijaz is responsible for it
    he is trying to put more dirt in to it now
    If he is sincere he should COME CLEAN
    and tell us what interest he has in
    Pakistan afairs.
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  • dr j tipu
    Jan 23, 2012 - 7:14PM

    well said IK……………

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  • Zoaib
    Jan 23, 2012 - 7:20PM

    It would have been a golden chance for the government if they had nothing to fear to allow Ijaz to appear and not issue threats to him for being arrested or putting his name on the ECL so that they could be declared innocent in the matter. But it looks like this thing is REAL by the way the government is handling it and IK is right to point this out…

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  • Raja
    Jan 23, 2012 - 7:21PM

    @R.A:
    Mansooor Ijaz has some thing very important which can damage ppp leadership thats why government is putting different tactics and unethical political stunts like if he come we may arrest him or there should be commission formation regarding bb government disposal etc. And more than that why Haqani,BB,rehman malik and Zardari had contacts with him what so ever reason ,ppp government is always security threat to Pakistan

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  • TN, Advocate
    Jan 23, 2012 - 7:32PM

    @ RA: Sir Jee, I am an ordinary person and have received Canadian, Saudi, Kuwati visas not from Pakistan. One has to have a good reason and convince the visa officer.
    By the way Mansoor is not responsible for our dirty laundry, he only blew the lid. The normal practice in the west is to take the dirty laundry to the cleaners. I guess, if want to know the truth then go to London or place where Mansoor feels safe.
    We have seen what happened to Gov Salman Taseer, Bibi Sahiba, Gen Zia etc etc.

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  • Concerned
    Jan 23, 2012 - 7:48PM

    Not a good arguments from Imran. He should check all his claims before going in to Election.
    Politics is not a bed of roses dear. In my opinion, I.K is not the only Hope for us, but at least he has presented some good personal examples i.e. he is not corrupt, he is willing to pay from his own pocket 1st for charity. So I would definately Vote for Him/ PTI until he failed.
    .

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  • Cautious
    Jan 23, 2012 - 7:52PM

    It would appear that he can’t talk intelligently without a teleprompter – reminds me of Obama.

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  • Blithe
    Jan 23, 2012 - 7:58PM

    “Ask us this question when we start handing out party tickets for the general elections.”

    Do you think we are bafoons?
    The people that have been on stage with you
    will get tickets?

    You are getting the dirtiest politicians and Pirs to join
    the new vessel of PTI. It’s sad.
    It could have been so different.

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  • Blithe
    Jan 23, 2012 - 8:22PM

    @tina gul:
    Tina, Pakistanis have every tight to know about
    his illegitamate daughter. He is standing
    for public office and us open to public scrutiny.
    Remember Monica Lewenski.
    Also remember that when it was revealed
    that Arnold Swazaneger had a “love child” his
    political career died.Recommend

  • Ali
    Jan 23, 2012 - 8:57PM

    @Khan:

    Actually, what Imran said was that the government’s intimidation of the witness to the extent that he is scared of his life in Pakistan, proves that they are guilty. He reiterated that just now in Dunya TV.

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  • Jan 23, 2012 - 9:27PM

    Just when one starts to think that maybe Mr. Khan can be considered as a serious person he comes up with stupid statements like this. Seriously beginning to have doubts about his ability to think straight and his logic; takes a suitcase to London, comes back with toys, sends messages to be read out at rallies of banned outfits, holds sit-ins against drone attacks but not against the killing by extremists and it goes on and on. Maybe just maybe around 20 seats in the next Parliament. That’s it!

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  • zafar bhatti
    Jan 23, 2012 - 9:40PM

    so amazing some of you guys still want ppp or pmln, no doubts your uncles or papas are beneficiaries of this corrupt system. For god sake leave us alone you guys have destroyed pakistan and are now trying to put all on IK, but keep trying and you will all see IK coming to power, all your propaganda failed and this propaganda of old faces will fail too. Yeah its true judge us when we give tickets :),

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  • kamran
    Jan 23, 2012 - 9:55PM

    Mr Imran Khan, i am a common Pakistani, who is suffering from lack of security, human rights, absence of economic opportunities, power, gas etc. These are my issues, please talk of them and prove to me that if u cme into power u cn solve them. Memogate doesnt matter to a commoner like me.

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  • kamran
    Jan 23, 2012 - 9:58PM

    @Naushad Shafkat:
    Most of the seats will be gained by the traditional fuedal stalwarts who hve joine him, so out of the 20, 17 would be bagged by the fuedal stalwarts, so the tsumani just gains 3.

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  • MarkH
    Jan 24, 2012 - 12:32AM

    uh. no. It doesn’t prove a single thing. In fact, it’s completely unrelated. How someone comes to such a conclusion is beyond me. He can testify if he plays by the rules, if he doesn’t, he can’t. It doesn’t reflect on the accused at all. Just Ijaz’s obvious self-importance. It comes down to his choice.

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  • Nadeem
    Jan 24, 2012 - 12:50AM

    Everyone here should vote for Zardari, he is the best thing ever happened to Pakistan, if not then Nawaz Sharif. He is the most honest person in Pakistan, dont worry about his money laundering or corruption. If not then Maulana Diesel sorry I mean Fazul ur Rehman……Forget IK he is tested tried and he should worry about his daughter in California then Pakistan. All I will pray is May Allah Bless Pakistan and give some sense to these brain washed people.

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  • Most impressed
    Jan 24, 2012 - 6:00AM

    @R.A: Like your leader you are making things up. Special circumstances should be beyond your control e.g. Extremely bad health or financial or family emergency. Now please think of something to justify. For example he (the billionaire) did not have enough money to fly to USA.

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  • Super Pak
    Jan 24, 2012 - 8:48AM

    ET always has to point out that Zaman park is an “upscale” neighborhood. I live in Zaman Park, and I don’t think its an upscale neighborhood not like the defense areas. Imran didn’t need to say anything, heck if I was Ijaz I wouldn’t come to a country where bodyguards kill those they swore to protect. For all intensive purposes most people in Pakistan will sell their soul to the devil if they can get a few notes in their pockets. This land is morally bankrupt.

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  • pirah
    Jan 24, 2012 - 9:58AM

    his statement remin me of “Animal Farm”…… everyday there is some addition deletion in the statement he made last night.

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  • Uza Syed
    Jan 25, 2012 - 3:12PM

    What is common between Mansoor Ijaz and Imran Khan? ———– Both are extremely overwhelmed by their agenda to self-promotion! What else is common between these two?——–they both are possessed by their-own-stupid-selves! Anything else that is common between them two, Imran Khan and Mansoor Ijaz? —– They are both unstable and erratic in their behaviour—not trust worthy!

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