Memogate: Ambassador Haqqani will give explanation, says Gilani
A memo was published online by foreign news papers, which alleged fears of a military coup in Pakistan and the army’s complicity in the Osama bin Laden raid. The memo was allegedly delivered to US Adm Mike Mullen by a Pakistani American businessman Mansoor Ijaz at the behest of Ambassador Haqqani in the week after the Bin Laden raid.
Haqqani, who has served as Pakistan’s representative to the US since 2008, denied that he had either drafted or delivered any memo. Referring to Mansoor Ijaz indirectly, the Ambassador said, “There are many businessmen in this world who claim to have a role in a country’s affairs, but they are not given importance. In Pakistan, however, one man’s claims create a crisis.”
Mullen on Thursday dropped a bombshell when he issued a statement confirming the existence of the document.
Gilani today (Friday) vehemently denied President Asif Ali Zardari’s involvement in the scandal. He added that the Pakistani intelligence and military are held in high regard by the government and they will be protected according to the constitution.
“We should show political maturity regarding this matter. I have already summoned Ambassdor Haqqani here in Pakistan to give an explanation to the leadership of this country,” said Gilani on the Assembly floor amid applause from Pakistan People’s Party parliamentarians.
“Newspapers print many articles against you and me, should we believe everything?” he asked.
He reassured the Assembly that rumours of the country being divided or the dissolution of national intuitions are baseless. Gilani firmly stated that any change that comes will be through the democratic process.
Waxing poetic
Amid cheers from his party, Prime Minister Gilani tried to appease parliamentarians during the Assembly session by saying that the government will resolve the issue regarding the memo scandal just as it has tackled others.
“Ghum-e-ishq gar na ho ga, toh gham-e rozgar ho ga,” (If it is not heartbreak that will bring you down, it will be unemployment woes) he said, adding that the government is repeatedly facing crises and is “mentally prepared” to tackle any issue, as it is used to facing such issues “every morning”.
“When we wake up in the morning, we ask ‘what will be the issue today?’” he remarked.
“We will remove the thorns from your way; your relationship with America will move forward in an honourable manner,” he asserted, requesting patience and adding that politicians should not indulge in a balme-game.
“Panic has been created because of one newspaper article,” he said. “We have already taken action. What else do you suggest we do?” he asked.
The prime minister ended his speech with the concluding remarks that parties should work together to resolve all issues, including this one.
Senators demand inquiry
The Senate has submitted a requisition to address the issue of Ambassador Hussain Haqqani.
29 senators including Tariq Azeem, Ishaq Dar and Jamal Laghari presented the requisition to the senate secretary.
Haqqani has already offered to resign over the scandal.
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COMMENTS (21)
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Now is the real time for a long march against these traitors.GO Zardari GO
The 'liberal' conspiracy theorists stand exposed.
Anything that works against the prosperity of a country is treason. Rationalizing treason through democracy is not prosperity.. . . . .and we all know that Rationalization is the grease on the Pole to Hell"!! The truth always prevails!
Its time for Military rule in Pakistan, We are tired of this useless rather destructive democracy which is sustaining on the blood of Pakistani people. i fully support Martial law in Pakistan.
This PSEUDO ambassador has no explanation to offer, must be sacked & tried against Article 6 along with his mentor.
"In your opinion, is the memo attributed to ambassador Husain Haqqani by the media real or fake?" The survey asks this question. It has been proven beyond doubt that the memo exists. What people doubt is whetherthis was orchestrated by Haqqani at Zardari's request. If taht was so Ijaz was part of that confidential team, why would he go and right the Oped in FT?
I would rather have a military dictatorship which deals with the problem of the people rather than a parasitic "democracy" which can only but leech off them.
Pakistan’s history is replete with successive attempts of the powerful military overthrowing corrupt and weak civilian governments. All these attempts were made successfully without bloodshed and, ironically with the tacit approval of the masses who would subsequently endorse such attempts through celebrations. However, here is a unique attempt to overthrow the powerful military by the weak and corrupt civilian government. The most striking feature of this abortive coup is the attempt to seek the support of a foreign military to defeat country’s own security establishment. This is interesting, unprecedented and downright shameful, if not treasonous. Read more at: http://passivevoices.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/a-unique-coup-detat-interesting-unprecedented-and-downright-treasonous/
Thanks Allag for the Memo Gate...
we need not burden our conscious with the guilt of doing nothing for the flood victims.
"“Newspapers print many articles against you and me, should we believe everything?” he asked." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ We should specially not believe the articles that are true.!!
"Mullen on Thursday dropped a bombshell when he issued a statement confirming the existence of the document." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Can this man be trusted? Is this another drone attack?
He also called the Haqqani Network as " veritable arms" of the ISI?
PM Mr Geelani is generalizing things. This is not that simple as he wants people to believe. I wonder why Mr Mullen admitted of this memo after avoiding the issue. Was it Washington tell Zardari govt. that we don't want to do business with you anymore. Obviously there can be no reason to wreck this government like this. Is Mian Saheb and Pakistan's very own yes-we-can man Imran Khan reading this ?
And more importantly why did he not take up the offer. What was promised in the memo is all that USA wants from Af-Pak. I am getting to believe that the US does not want the Af-Pak region to regain peace. I think they are looking to stay on in Afghanistan with some military bases. Peace may come but only in the manner that will justify and ensure USA permanent military presence in Af-Pak.
We also need to revisit the outburst of Mr Mullen against Pak army and ISI just before his retirement. Does that mean Mullen had banked on Kayani after the OBL incident and then ended up looking like a fool at the time of his retirement ? Does that explain his parting shot ?
If this were India Hussein Haqqani would suffer sudden chest pain and be admitted in a 5 Star Hospital till another controversy makes ppl forget this one.
Dream on. I doubt if Haqqani is dumb enough to come to Islamabad knowing fully well he will not be able to leave.
And when is he coming in response to your summon: yesterday on one of the TV interviews he stated he is delaying his visit to Pakistan due to some scheduled blood tests as cancelling them will cause him loss.This is a big hog wash and laughable matter. You are talking about a nation of 180 million people and the harm he may have caused is very grave. Can someone please get serious
I have already summoned Ambassdor Haqqani here in Pakistan to give an explanation to the leadership of this country,” said Gilani
Mr.Gilani, whom you refer as the leadership ? We all that its you, but you seems to point out someone deep !
When......if the memo is true than I feel someone should stand up and say: Pakistan First
The best part is that after this discloure, the military is no position to topple the civilian govt.