WikiLeaks disclosure attack on my patriotism: Nisar
Khan says his statements and speeches part of National Assembly record, he never compromised on Pakistan's interest.
ISLAMABAD:
Opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan of the PML-N admitted that his wife and children were US nationals, simultaneously terming the disclosure by WikiLeaks an attack on his ‘patriotism’.
“I am hurt since elements subservient to foreign powers are casting doubts on my love for my country,” Khan said at a press conference on Tuesday to clarify his position. “My in-laws were settled in the US and my wife was a US national at the time of marriage. “I have been in politics for the last 27 years but I have never compromised on national interest neither while I was in the government nor in the opposition,” he said. Khan maintained he had never concealed information, but there were several members of parliament and others in the government, who are dual nationals.
Khan referred to several meetings in which he had heated discussions with US officials to safeguard national interests. He said that his statements and speeches were part of the National Assembly record and he had never compromised on Pakistan’s interests.
Khan said that the government needs to review its relationship with the US. To justify his children’s nationality, Khan was left with no option but to mention a family dispute as a result of which his wife and children had gone to the US for six months. “When I came to know my children were to be given US nationality, I sent a legal notice to the US Embassy in Islamabad. The legal notice is on record, he said. “My children were given US nationality despite my reservations by the US consulate in Lahore.”
A WikiLeaks cable published in the press had stated that Khan’s wife and children were US nationals.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2011.
Opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan of the PML-N admitted that his wife and children were US nationals, simultaneously terming the disclosure by WikiLeaks an attack on his ‘patriotism’.
“I am hurt since elements subservient to foreign powers are casting doubts on my love for my country,” Khan said at a press conference on Tuesday to clarify his position. “My in-laws were settled in the US and my wife was a US national at the time of marriage. “I have been in politics for the last 27 years but I have never compromised on national interest neither while I was in the government nor in the opposition,” he said. Khan maintained he had never concealed information, but there were several members of parliament and others in the government, who are dual nationals.
Khan referred to several meetings in which he had heated discussions with US officials to safeguard national interests. He said that his statements and speeches were part of the National Assembly record and he had never compromised on Pakistan’s interests.
Khan said that the government needs to review its relationship with the US. To justify his children’s nationality, Khan was left with no option but to mention a family dispute as a result of which his wife and children had gone to the US for six months. “When I came to know my children were to be given US nationality, I sent a legal notice to the US Embassy in Islamabad. The legal notice is on record, he said. “My children were given US nationality despite my reservations by the US consulate in Lahore.”
A WikiLeaks cable published in the press had stated that Khan’s wife and children were US nationals.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2011.