Only Haqqani can clear mystery regarding memo: Ahmed Mukhtar
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Mukhtar said it will take some time to determine who drafted the secret memo allegedly delivered to former US military chief Adm Mike Mullen.
Mukhtar also said that if Haqqani is involved in the scandal, then the prime minister will also be held accountable. He added, however, that the prime minister cannot dismiss Haqqani from office without asking for an explanation.
He also said that action will surely be taken if Haqqani does not come clean, however, nothing can be said before he explains his position.
Mukhtar also vowed that all details will be brought before the public, as soon as details unfurl.
In the wake of the leaked memo controversy, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday told members of the National Assembly that Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani has been summoned to Islamabad to provide an explanation to the country’s leadership.
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.
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Hold it guys before you go to town with M. Haqqani. Let’s put the whole thing in perspective, Osma Bin Laden found in Pakistan was a black day for Pakistani Army. Mr. Haqqani was the one in front of the US media everyday and answering tough questions, providing good answers and saving the same Mr. Pasha’s (forensic testing of memo but not OBL shows his priority) and Kayani’s mistakes or failure. Whatever, Mr. Haqqani did as an ambassador of the country in trouble times was a justified act to deflect the criticism. In my book Mr. Haqqani is a true Patriot and job well done for which he was selected for. Rest of those who did not face American media for days, please do not double guess Mr. Haqqani. You were not there and he should not be punished for the job well done. Stop and think what is a big deal memo or OBL episode. History will treat Mr. Haqqani very well.
Since when is the Pakistan Army, which has occupied Pakistan for most of Pakistans history above the civilian government
Ahmed Mukhtar is right in saying that “Only Haqqani can clear mystery regarding memo” as when the memo was typed by Mansoor Ijaz for Mike Mullen, at that time Ahmed Mukhtar was sleeping, though Defence Minister of any country does not sleep, he is suppose to wake up all the times to protect his respective country.
@Raj - USA: Yes , they are not only censored it seems they change the wording too !!! So that they loose the impact of an sentance too!! Mods @ Et vary a lot!!
@hedgefunder: Where are your questions? Censored ??????? It is understandable. All said, I consider ET to be more liberal than other publications. They allow some very critical comments also and I appreciate it.
@well_wisher: The answer to your question that if China is such an all weather friend of Pakistan why AZ cannot go to China, instead of USA. The answer is simple. China is a friend of Pakistan Army only. Do you remember that Zardari did not visit China for a long time after assuming Presidency and did so much later just to please the army.
a thorough clean-up of top army brass is required for Pakistan.
what is your obligation being defence Minister of Pakistan.
I do not support any political party or army. I support a happy and prosperous Pakistan. My personal opinion is that a bad democracy is better than dictator ship. Islam is our religion and there is no concept of modern day democracy. Nomination and election both are in concept of Islam, Pakistani society we could not get rid of Federalism. which is opposite of democracy. Our Federals are corrupt,They will always win the elections. For check & balance army must have a say in our democratic system. Present saga of asking USA help to remove army chief is as good as treason
Mr Mukhtar normally withdraws or denies his statements within 24 hours of issuing them. How many hours have passed so far ?
Mukhtar also said that if Haqqani is involved in the scandal, then the prime minister will also be held accountable. Why not the President ?
This is getting crazy now.
Raymond Davis, OBL, Memo-gate and the list goes on. Probably, the next one is related to nuclear weapons, the mother of all; This shows incapability of present civilian govt. The best solution of Pakistan is to dissolve current establishment and conduct fresh elections; Imran Khan should come to power and wipe of this terror and this ever growing American influence.
If Pakistan should stop treating India as an enemy everything will fall into their own place, It neither have to support Haqqani terror for so called "strategic depth" and worry about Afghanistan nor beg American and China for few bucks. What is the guarantee that whatever USA is doing with Pakistan now, China doesn't do the same in future.
"Mukhtar also said that if Haqqani is involved in the scandal, then the prime minister will also be held accountable"
And if the prime minister is held accountable then the President will also be held accountable.
Right?
Sign that Zardari has already thrown Haqqani under the bus
Atleast no one expects it from you Mr. Defence Minister, how many mystries you have unravelled during your almost four years of ministery?