Pakistani officials must own up to their failures: Husain Haqqani

Former Pakistani ambassador to US hits back at Sartaj Aziz, says he must stop looking for scapegoats


June 22, 2016
Former Pakistani ambassador to US hits back at Sartaj Aziz, says he must stop looking for scapegoats. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani on Wednesday hit back at Sartaj Aziz saying officials in Pakistan must own up to their failures.

Responding to Aziz's comment that a former Pakistani ambassador in Washington has been lobbying against his own country, Haqqani said, "Officials should take responsibility for failed policies and their poor presentation abroad instead of looking for scapegoats to divert attention."

Former envoy lobbying against Pakistan: Aziz

In a rejoinder issued to PM's adviser on foreign affairs, Haqqani said, Pakistan's difficulties in the United States were the result of years of supporting militants.

"I did not make the AQ Khan network, support the Taliban as they killed US soldiers in Afghanistan or allow UN designated terrorist groups to function openly so there is no point in blaming me for these policy failures.

"Neither I nor any other former ambassador was responsible for the OBL fiasco," Haqqani stated.


Addressing the lower house of parliament after opposition MPs criticised the government over recent foreign policy fiascos, Aziz made the controversial statement regarding Haqqani. Though Aziz didn’t name anyone, it was obvious that he was referring to Hussain Haqqani.

Aziz rules out Pakistan’s foreign policy failure claims

“He is trying to circumvent all our diplomatic efforts aimed at boosting bilateral ties between Pakistan and the United States,” Aziz said. “The Foreign Office has serious reservations about his activities in the US.”

COMMENTS (16)

Here me.... | 7 years ago | Reply We own up to our failure of not recognizing you for who you really are Sir.
NDA | 7 years ago | Reply Hussain is not an original scholar. He has had access to high quarthers for long time and has in the process developed knowledge base in certain areas. He is antimilitary but perhaps not against militarism. His antipathy to Islam and Islamic politics is more based on Western world view and West's own experience with religion. If he now stops opposing Islam and Pakistan he is left with nothing. So he will continue with his opposition. We all know foriegn focres need people like him and he is available to oblige them. He is 'Fifth Columnist' so say the least. He has done some damage to Pakistan but it will be repaired.
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