ISLAMABAD: The battle lines appear to have been drawn. The embittered government is in no mood to go down without a fight. On Monday it hit back at the military in the Memogate scandal, squarely blaming the army and intelligence chiefs for “keeping Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in the dark” on the issue.
In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, the government dismissed as a ‘pack of lies’ the statement made by Mansoor Ijaz, the American businessman of Pakistani origin who has been at the heart of the memo row, and endorsed the reply submitted by former Pakistani ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani.
Haqqani had rubbished Ijaz’s claim and denied having any link with the memo.
In their statements, army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha had confirmed the ‘existence’ of the secret memo which the army chief said was an attempt to demoralise the armed forces and therefore needs to be investigated.
On December 19, a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court had asked the government to file an affidavit – accepting or denying the statements of Gen Kayani, Lt Gen Pasha, Ijaz and Haqqani.
In the affidavit, submitted to the apex court through the interior ministry, Interior Secretary Khwaja Siddique Akbar stated that Gen Kayani has confirmed learning of the memo issue from Lt Gen Pasha in a meeting on October 24, 2011.
“No reason has been mentioned anywhere as to why it took so long to report to the prime minister in a case where according to the respondent [the army chief] himself, time was of the essence,” the affidavit read.
Referring to the meeting between Lt Gen Pasha and Ijaz, the affidavit stated that the former shirked his duty by briefing Gen Kayani instead of the country’s chief executive on the matter. “However, respondent [Pasha] is fully aware as to whom he is liable to report under relevant law and rules,” it read.
To the army chief’s statement, the government said Pakistan is lucky to have the eighth largest army of the world, comprising valiant men and women. “Therefore, no one can weaken the morale of Pakistan’s armed forces and certainly not the alleged memo which is not worth even the paper on which it was printed while being downloaded,” the affidavit read.
The government also said the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces for the country’s security, territorial integrity and sovereignty are unprecedented.
“Similarly, the people of Pakistan and their democratically elected representatives took the brunt of every aggression equally on their chests, and children, women, students and common citizens, including Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, laid down their lives to defend their homeland fearlessly,” it added.
In response to the army chief’s plea for an inquiry into the Memogate controversy, the government said, “All the facts and circumstances are being probed into by the parliamentary committee on national security. The committee has representation from all political parties of the country, and as mandated by both the houses of parliament is examining the facts and circumstances of the matter.”
Referring to Mansoor Ijaz’s write-up in The Financial Times, the affidavit said that the government as well as the presidency have already issued denial of the contents of the article published on October 10, 2011.
“It is the stance of the federation that the federal government [including the constitutional head of the state, the constitutional chief executive of the country or any other component of the federal government] has neither conceptualised nor initiated or in any manner has anything to do with the alleged memo or the allegation or views expressed therein,” it said.
The Supreme Court is set to take up the statements of all the parties, including the government’s rebuttal submitted through the interior ministry, on Tuesday. The court is seized of the maintainability of the petitions in the memo case.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2011.
COMMENTS (50)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@narayana murthy:
I believe you has asked the most thought provoking question/comment to date on this issue.
There was a recent article asking what does PAK want in Afghanistan. My comment was what does PAK want in PAK. It would seem no one knows because no seems able to define just what PAK is.
Pak Express Tribune is a protege of NY TImes. Which would do anything to blame the Army and allied Institutions.
Pasha found memo credible; now he would be fool to go and report it to same government who allegedly initiated the memo. If memo is actually proved to be correct then it is a treason and government is in no position to investigate this this matter on its own, supreme court needs to be involved and that is what currently happening..
@Johnny Bravo: Even if DG ISI report to COAS, then the COAS should have reported to PM under the constitution.
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Once again government's camouflaging its demerits and weaknesses strategy by blaming Pakistan army by giving this irresponsible statement against the army officials.
@Khan Thanks for concern. RIGHT or WRONG is the question here. When boots rule a country, the country goes to boots.
@Overseas Pakistanis, who says "Nothing is more important than Pakistan’s Security. Democracy, Sovereignty and rule of law is after Pakistan."
So, what is Pakistan according to you? A name? A map? A piece of land? A group of people? A concept?
If you don't have democracy, if you don't have rule of law, how is that not a security threat to Pakistan? How does that not come under Pakistan's security?
And for god's sake, you have also put sovereignty after Pakistan's security. What does that mean?
@ Munib
Emotional....wont do you any good
@nsk:
What you are saying does not make any sense to me. In the past many generals have toppled the governments too, would that make it right for Kayani to do so? NO! So in past if other governments asked US assistance against Army (even though I don't believe it), that is irrelevant. If General Kayani wanted to topple the government, he would have done so by now. If these corrupt politicians feared anything like that, they should have gone to public to ask for their support not America. But unfortunately, public already hates them too much so they sought America's help. Get the difference? There you go, I addressed the issues raised in the memo for you.
If the government is held guilty, he along with Gilani and Haqqani shall be executed for treason. The SC shall side with the Army as they would not like to spend the rest of their life in Saudi. Nor do they have so much money stacked abroad as NS to lead a comfortable life there with their families. Along with Zardari, Gilani and Haqqani other retired General implicated in the memo may also face treason charges. Another Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto scenario is not at all desirable and may lead to serious internal turmoil.It would be better for Pakistan if everyone forgets the issue and move on for more pressing matters. Imran Khan may play a mediator role and diffuse the tense situation.
Why would you pre-warn or alert the possible culprit. Pasha & Kiyani acted in the interest of the nation and justice too. Please refer to whistleblowing policy in the wetern nation that will back up what Pasha Did!
@Overseas PAK Bro your "if" and "but" assumptions wont win you the argument. If its about assumptions than even with the bogus vote the parliament has the right to decide GOOD or BAD. Otherwise with the same assumtion one can assume that WHAT IF a COAS make PAK part of INDIA?
So kindly argue on what you can defend. The topic was what HAS HAPPENED and NOT WHAT WILL happen etc.
Because you seem to have not read history, it was a COAS who said to the Americans in 1953 that the USA should treat PAK Army as its own Army and that If USA is there as friend PAK doesnt even need its own Army
Now you want me to tell you the name of that "patriotic" Army Chief or you will do some searching ?
@Sajjad Ashraf - Absolutely!! It is about the loyalty towards the country and everything else should be irrelevant at such a critical juncture. The Army and ISI have the best intentions and they hold national interest as supreme and they should be applauded!
We have already seen a lot of bloodshed in Bangal, Balochistan, and Baltistan, in the name of national security. No more exploitation of Pakistan under the pretext of NS.
@Sajjad Ashraf: National security is not to be imposed by a man in uniform, but defined by the people of a country through their representatives in the Parliament.
@Adil Q: Dear you have to understand one thing. Memo and its contents are facts. In the past also many ruling elite have asked assistance from US against he clutches of Army as apparantly there is no other way to get rid off. Same has been done by current government. Main point is to address the issues raised in the memo and not memo itself. In that case government is right in its instacne and army seems to have tresppased its limits.
@alicia: Put ur facts straight, how can you implicate Armed Forces in Siachin and rivers issues, if for a while we put aside the remaining to referred cases? Can you please elaborate and provide evidence in support of your broad assertion!
@MUNIB: Well than continue practicing licking and eating this parliament as very shortly u may have food crisis in the country to top-up prevailing gas, electricity, bal blah crisis!
@kilo: That be the case, please offer your advice to Obama as well! Do we know how much the US Generals been hiding from the Executive? The affairs of the State are not run like this Mr Kilo that you discharge people like this. The Govt must prove itself worthy of the responsibility and trust posed in them by the people of Pakistan. Then, there will not be any need of discharging people or fears of govt being toppled by any power within or outside the country. In that case, people shall stand by their beloved give like "seesa pillai deewar"!
Supreme Court to Govt.: Accept or deny the memo. Govt. : DG ISI overstepped his jurisdiction.
Is govt. really answering the question/issue @ hand ?
@Waqas Butt: Because it's about everyone playing their role. They're not going along with anyone overstepping by doing it in a way that isn't overstepping.
@A J Khan: nonsnse...constitutional definition of democracy, once elected, the PM is the sole authoruty, sole keeper and sole arbritrer of a nation's fate till he is removed in a constitutional manner..
Why is an unsigned and unverified piece of paper taking up so much of the SC time ?
Here are limits of our Federal government "Pakistan is one of top most corrupt country"
@Imran:
"We r playing in the hands of America. "
Nonsense.
A little more to add that not only generals but political leadership incl Nawaz sharif ,Imran Khan and jamat e islami are also demanding a probe by SC; the only party confusing the issue is government; so better they should review their stance.
Is there someone in the world who could tell me why the government is running away from the Supreme Court Investigation if they are so innocent. If there hands are clean let the facts surface and they will be cleared eventually. But recent happenings reflect that the government is guilty and they are trying to run away from the fact that they have posed a grave threat to the security of Pakistan. We stand by our DG ISI and COAS. They claim that this issue must be investigated as it is related to our national security. This is very genuine demand from every Pakistani.
Time to hold the NRO zada generals accountable too. If politicians are to be blamed for NRO, even though they were not in power when the ordinance was issued, the state personnels assisting the deals for personal gains, should also be criticized for their part. Their heads must roll too.
Well maybe there is a lack of trust between the ISI and the army? Part of the memogate was against the army n the ISI therefore i dont blame Pasha for discussing this with army. Say if Pasha did report to the govt then what difference does this make? It doesnt make the memogate fiasco go away it still needs investigating. Pasha went to the chief justice because for once in pakistan the judiciary is independant only he can clearly investigate this without bias. This was a national security issue. The sovergnity of the nation is under threat. Gillani critcised the army regarding bin laden on national media. Do u think this was a responsible statement. Statements like these make me believe the memogate issue is authentic. We r playing in the hands of america.
@MUNIB For your first para, your understanding is wrong. For second para, if bogus votes Parliament decide that from next day Pakistan will be the part of India or a colony of America then what would be your answer. And for your last para, Ms. CONDA RICE‘s recent book is enough to refer that how parliament formed, however, fake degrees and bogus votes can also be referred if you still puzzle. And the last thing I would like to add that I would really respect the parliament if more than 50% genuine voting turnout recorded in election, after all more than 50% is democracy!
Bravo Fed govt.
Prime Minister is his reporting head but it does not mean that he will not be sharing information of importance with the services chiefs. If that be the case, then the Prime Minister should be briefing the service chiefs. Any way, will that change the facts of the case.
saying that "If Generals overstepping in order to protect Pakistan Security then they are doing good job " is like saying "Its good if jump into the river to keep myself dry" Does this makes sense?
I think my bro overseas pakistani doesnt know that the Constitution gives the Parliament the right to decide what is to be DONE TO PROTECT PAKISTAN.
How would you respond to the idea that a Politicians should be made the COAS of Army for betterment of Army ?
Dont hide your nose under the guise of "protecting the state" . PAK Army is NOT the owner of state that it can do anything to protect it. The parliament is the Owner through the power of vote and elections.
Doesn't the DG ISI report to the COAS?
@Overseas Pakistani I second you on that.
Logical and legally valid stance.
Nothing is more important than Pakistan's Security. Democracy, Sovereignty and rule of law is after Pakistan. If Generals overstepping in order to protect Pakistan Security then they are doing good job. Thumbs up for them.
Very correct stance by GOV though i do think they are guilty in writing the memo and this gov is corrupt. Law is law and the law says the DG ISI is suppose to report to the PM and take his permission and report him for all issue related to NATIONAL SECURITY.
Govt is desperate and they should know they're only shooting themselves in the foot as the nation stands behind Kayani and Pasha.
I dont understand why SC should consitute such a large bench for such a issue. It would have been better a smaller bench first hear and give its verdict.
For once our govt is correct..generals should be investigated for hiding or playing with the information for that long and be discharged for insubordination without even giving it a second thought