The resignation of Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani was perhaps what was needed to close the chapter on the ‘memogate’ controversy. While he maintained that he had no role in authoring or sending the said secret memo, the government and (let’s not beat about the bush) the military thought otherwise. One version of events has it that the prime minister asked for the resignation, so that any independent inquiry that were to follow would be outside the possible influence of the ambassador. Haqqani, however announced on the microblogging site Twitter that he had offered his resignation and asked the government to accept it. However, until an independent inquiry is conducted, as indeed should be the case, one won’t be able to comment on Haqqani’s role in the whole affair.
The immediate impact for Pakistan will be a vacuum in Washington DC, arguably the most important foreign capital for Pakistan (as would be for most other nations). Haqqani’s shoes, however, may be difficult to fill because if anything, he was good at his job and was reputed to have direct access to senior Congressional leaders as well as top officials in the Obama administration. He was also well-connected in the think-tank and lobbying circuit, which was certainly an asset given the nature of his role.
As for the other protagonist in ‘memogate’, Mansoor Ijaz, reportedly he is no angel either. Certain questions surrounding his role need answers as well. For instance, what made him go public with his claims on the memo and its authorship? Why did he see fit to meet, as reported in a section of the media (and not denied) with the head of the ISI and present the ‘evidence’ to him? Wouldn’t it have been better to submit this before an inquiry or the prime minister? Of course, if the memo was indeed sent, it was a very ham-handed and downright silly way of reining in the country’s powerful military. The principle, that a democratic nation’s military be subordinate and under the control of an elected civilian government is something that needs to be implemented in Pakistan as well but that will happen only if our elected governments get the foresight and the courage to go about doing this in the correct way: that is, through their electorate and by rallying popular support to this just cause.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2011.
COMMENTS (13)
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When you play both sides, sing from both sides of your mouth, have dual nationalities, divided loyalties, burn your stick from both ends, have one in the hand and another one in the bush - you are bound to get caught with one hand in the cookie jar and a cookie stuck in your mouth. But having one too many irons in the fire might be a good thing - there is always a fellowship waiting at the American Enterprise Institute.
For those who are beating the HH drum. This was written and compiled in April 2008.
http://rupeenews.com/2008/04/pakistans-new-ambassador-to-usa-hh-an-embarresment-for-all/
Mr. Haqqani, all I want to say is that although you dislike Zardari and his unjustful regime, this was still however not the way to papay him back. You're still a Pakistani first, American second.
@ Awais what maturity has been show by this armed forces.How many inches of Kasmir has been liberated since the landing of Indian Army at Sirinagar in 63 years after spending of trillions of rupees,
With reference to our media Gen. Pasha has only evedence against Haqqani, that provided by Mansoor Ejaz. The same Mansoor Ejaz who has been defaming our army through writting articals against it. Very strange.
While HH was well known in political and academic circles nobody knew of Mansoor Ijaz. Even if some have known him he was the most anti-Pakistan and demanded ISI be labelled a terrorist organization. While the media and establishment spitting venom against HH, the born US citizen is believed beyond any question to his past. Once again the people who have broken the country, started Kargil, and hosted OBL and other terrorists got away with their crimes against humanity and high treason. HH can be ditched but the Americans are not that foolish to see what is going on and who was in bed with the worst terrorists of the world.
Maleeha Lodi was very effective those days. But those were the days when Pakistan and its military establishment were favorites in USA. However, she is a very capable lady with exceptional diplomatic skills. She gave a very tough time for India those days. She developed differences with BB and do not know if AZ would prefer her. Also, in the changed environment, it is doubtful if she can be as effective as she was those days. She was also a favorite of Musharraf.
One day, not too far into the future, when the armed forces of Pakistan are tamed and brought under civilian control, the contribution of Hussain Haqqani in making it happen will be recorded in golden letters.
Well if our civilian government is so keen about the implementation of the actual democratic culture in Pakistan, they should be doing it through legislation. Why don't the civil authorities take control of 40% of military run Pakistan? Military runs most of Baluchistan, FATA and parts of Khyber-Pakhtunwa where they fought battles. When our civilian setup came back, they just can not control or run those areas. Why not federation take charge and relieve military from the responsibilities which Zardari League should be doing? Military MUST be under civilian rule, but civilian government needs to be able to show maturity for this purpose. Our so called civilian leadership want military to be under their control just to have a supremacy. They tend to sell our military interests to save their beds in Islamabad for mere pressure from international community. If that is the intent of having supremacy over military, then no one is going anywhere with any democratic reforms!
Pakistan's loss. Mr. Haqqani performance as Ambassador has been exceptional under extremely difficult circumstances both abroad and at home. By coming to Pakistan, offering his resignation and putting himself for investigation shows his patriotism and integrity, tell me how many Generals both serving and retired along with political leaders have shown the same grace? None. Shame on our media and establishment for running a media trial. (with the exception of ET)
We should praise him that at least he resigned on his own. Not one...I repeat NOT ONE khaki resigned (except offering) after the 5/2 or mehran naval air base scandal. Why this double standards?
The new proposed names for ambassador make it clearer who was behind everything:
(i) Maleeha Lodhi: Credible but establishment's trusted girl
(ii) Salman Bashir: Brother of Noman Bashir the Naval Chief who retired last month (one who thought PNS Mehran wasnt a security lapse)
(iii) Ehsan Iqbal: a retired general
Bravo, well played establishment!
Perhaps if we have a civilian gov't that isn't so openly corrupt, the public would support reigning in the military.