The hype-triggering ‘memo’ is now out in the open and Hussain Haqqani has been named. Now is the time to accelerate the ‘consequential process.’ To demand the same, three PML-N MNAs – Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Ayaz Amir and Khawaja Asif – ganged up to hijack proceedings of the National Assembly Friday morning.
Sitting in his seat, the Prime Minister looked arrogantly indifferent to their din. After Khawaja Asif had spoken his bit, the PM took the floor and tauntingly wondered over what he felt the opposition’s obsession with the so-called ‘memo’. Only the other day, he recalled in a glacial tone, the opposition leader had talked about it and “I as the leader of the house promised on the floor that (the) ambassador (concerned) had been summoned to Islamabad to explain things. The matter should have ended there.”
While telling the opposition to wait for Haqqani‘s arrival in Islamabad, Gilani could not resist asserting that come what may, things on our political scene would stay the way they presently seemed. For a change, he was rather very subtle in cynically ‘reporting’ to Khawaja Asif that his government had been working overtime to “remove the potential thorns” that next elected government could find in their way to smooth running of the state affairs.
The prime minister’s calm disposition and his confidence really surprised me; from another angle it looked rather audacious. For an average observer of power games in this country, the memo’s coming out into the open is not the end of the story. Blaming Haqqani before booting him out would perhaps not work either. Cutting across their difference, all opponents of the Zardari-Gilani government are set to keep asking for nothing but the whole truth. The real objective is to get Zardari and the spin to rub in wants to blame a “reckless government of carpetbaggers conspiring against the state.”
Since 1977, people of Pakistan are conditioned to passively watch the Triple Brigade sorting out the recklessly ‘corrupt and incompetent politicians.’ Times have changed. You have to be somewhat more creative but ruthless deliverer of a game plan that attains its objectives while playing by the constitutional and legal book.
Impeachment of the President, if he really asked Haqqani to deliver a message to Admiral Mullen through a messenger of dubious reputation, is the obvious route to take. People, sitting on the ruling benches in our ‘sovereign parliament,’ seldom feel motivated, however, when it comes to deliver on national security affairs.
By demanding the calling of a joint parliamentary session for finding out the whole truth, Khawaja Asif made a move to open the same route. He failed and perhaps further attempts in the same direction would also prove futile in the end. We have to think of alternative routes.
And, I have it from highly reliable sources that a discreet group of senior lawyers, widely acknowledged for professional competence, has been working overtime for the past 48 hours. They are ferociously combing ‘the memo’ and the constitution of Pakistan to look for the opportunity of approaching the apex court to find out whether the Zardari-Gilani government did conspire against the state of Pakistan. I do not need to add that a patriotic citizen or a group of such persons may approach the court in their ‘personal capacity.’ Who says only the exorbitant amounts motivate lawyers? There surely come times, when conscience ticks them to act.
Before finishing this column, allow me to report that Mushahid Hussain Syed called me this morning. He did not comment directly on a story that I had reported; claiming that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain ‘softly paddled’ his name as possible replacement to Haqqani in Washington. He was more insistent to convey that he was just not interested to get an ambassadorial slot anywhere in the world. Doing this, he also confirmed that the government had formally asked him to go as Pakistan’s permanent representative to United Nations some months ago, but he did not accept the offer.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2011.
COMMENTS (7)
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High time Express Tribune stops putting spin if this memo is not a serious issue./....even if the sponsors of Express tribune require this bidding!!!
My understanding of the whole matter is that the government wishes to linger on with the raging controversy. Hussain Haqqani is not going to resign. He isn't going to because one, he is involved. Two, because this will ultimately implicate Zardari.
I am no supporter of the military, they have been playing dirty games and continue to do so in the form of supporting Haqqanis and other terrorists.
My prediction is we see a dirty game of lies and crippled governance in coming days. After all, what can be expected from a power-hungry corrupt group of politicians and a military that is obsessed with India and the idea of strategic depth.
It is a very serious national security matter. In this alleged memo the Americans were offered access even to the nuclear assets of Pakistan. We know that to bring this Government in power, it was Washington which had brokered the NRO based deal between General Musharaf and Benazir Bhutto and in return she had promised to give US free access to Dr. AQ Khan. Past record of some of our political leaders sitting in the Government is quite shady.For the sake of Pakistan's national security, the people of Pakistan should demand an independent judicial inquiry. Who so ever is found to be involved in this act of treason should be given exemplary punishment and if it is proved that it is a cooked up story then the legal action must be taken to punish the conspirators.
As for as our fears about any take over by the Army are concerned, I do not think there is any truth in it. Past events of 3 1/2 years have proved beyond any doubt that the Army has been fully supporting the democratic process in Pakistan and has no interest in taking any unconstitutional step. But at the same time it is the responsibility of the Army and its institutions to unearth clandestine activities of those who for their personal gains are prepared to sell our country.
Investigation is right way to find truth, however, in our country most of investigations concluded nil. we have resent example of NICL, Hajj corruption case, Railways corruption case also. apex court seems helpless in the hand of Govt.'s will. how Govt machinery behaved and result thereto. please please be serious on this issue and pose high level of responsibility and maturity. pakistan zindabad
The government is only answerable to people and not to COAS! It should be this way. If we still want to remain in the league of muslim countries that took the bold step to stop army and others taking over then we as a nation have to send a signal to COAS and his merry men that he is not welcome no matter what... rather than another general or general backed set up.... It adds to more chaos and one doesnt want any.....
Shouldn't lost patient, should wait to some extend, matter is under investigation let the results come. What is really behind the scene,he is coming,will explain the position,
then situation will be cleared to extending the need of your comments.
The offeres in memo regarding change of security team is extra-ordinarily exaberated. it is as if Pakistan offering to sell itself and in bonus seller will get afghanistan too. How can a politically sane person dish out so much in one-go- FAKE MEMO. pause