IHC dismisses plea for probe over Kissinger’s book

CJ says Pakistan’s security is not weak that could be affected by one book

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking an investigation into statements of former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger pertaining to the 1971 state affairs in her book, declaring it as non-maintainable.

The chief justice remarked that the security and stability of the country were not as weak as it could be affected by just a book. The court said that there was a parliament which was responsible to view such matters and it didn't come under court's domain.

During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner told the court that he had requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to investigate the matter but no action was taken. The court asked the petitioner whether he had read the Hamoodur Rehman Commission report.

“Read it first. You have raised a political question from someone's statement. These political questions have to be looked at by the parliament. You go to the representative from your constituency, who can put it before the parliament. Such petitions do not fall under the jurisdiction of the courts,” he said.

After that the court dismissed the petition, declaring it non-maintainable. Later, the court issued a written order, saying that the court had no doubts about the steps taken by parliament and the executive for the security and stability of the country.

Pakistan's security and stability were not weak, nor does the court need to intervene, the court order said, adding that the petitioner could not satisfy the court that which of his rights were affected by the statements of the former US secretary of state.

The petition was moved by a citizen, Malik Mushtaq Ahmed, who had adopted the stance that Kissinger had given controversial statement in her book that then president Yahya Khan had assured that he would give freedom to Bangladesh by setting up a court commission.