The Islamabad District Court in its verdict said that Ijaz, being an American national, could not be arrested by Pakistani authorities until he violates any law in Pakistan.
District Court Judge Wajahat Hussain reserved the judgment after hearing arguments of the petitioner’s counsel, Raja Israr Ahmed Abbasi.
Abbasi had told the court that Ijaz was a ‘secret agent’ trying to destabilise the democratic government by publishing ‘fake’ and ‘baseless’ memo-related documents.
Abbasi had said that in addition to the memo, Ijaz’s statements, articles and analysis published in the international media were sufficient enough to charge him with offences of sections 153-A, 177, 197, 199, 200, 468, 471 and 505 of the Pakistani Penal Code (PPC).
Abbasi added that he should be immediately arrested upon arrival in Pakistan.
However, the judicial commission probing the Memogate case had earlier told the court that a case filed against Ijaz was not maintainable and said that it was the petitioner, Khalid Jameel Sati's, an activist associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), attempt to get “cheap publicity”.
The police also refused to register an FIR against Ijaz upon Sati’s request.
Additionally, the judicial commission had earlier ensured Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq that a case cannot be registered against Ijaz as long as he’s not present in Pakistan.
It had earlier been reported that the court would release it by 1pm.
COMMENTS (17)
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Mansoor Ijaz is a testament to how far people will go to selectively choose facts to support their beliefs/bias. Many who support him make no bones about their hatred of American's - yet they ignore the fact that Ijaz in an American - born in Florida. Many who support him make no bones about how they hate the civilian govt and think a military coup would be just fine -- yet they ignore the fact that Ijaz has regularly criticized the ISI/military and holds them responsible for much of what is wrong in Pakistan and the overall instability of the region. Go figure.
The court says that Ijaz, being an American national, could not be arrested by Pakistani authorities until he violates any law in Pakistan. So one can do anything against the state of Pakistan but that remains legal in Pakistani law so long as they do it from outside the country. Sounds quite dodgy to me.
I suspect if a Pakistani citizen did anything against any other country while sitting in Pakistan that country would be quite furious and either would demand to hand over that person or take action against him in Pakistan. Why are we so lenient? Is it because Ijaz Mansoor and Memo are just an excuse and the real purpose is to get rid if the civilian government by the not so hidden forces?
@Mirza: It is strange that you hate the alleged double agent Mansoor Ijaz, but love his boss Gen Jones of US Army. PPP has made a muddle out of your mind.
Stop wasting court's time they are not going to do anything against our fav double agent who is their lone witness. The PCO judges and SC/HC are dedicated for cases against the elected govt only. Gen Mush had presidential immunity, he still has but the elected president does not. Don't think just listen to PCO judges of SC they know better. Mansoor Ijaz's character and hositlity against Pakistan, army and ISI is fine as long as he helps the generals and PCO SC. Decorated gen Jones's testimony is meaningless as he is a foreigner but the double agent is not.
why is mr ijaz doing what he is doing and if memo was a bad thing then why did he write it and if memo is against the interests of Pakistan then he is a party to the crime regardless he must be arrested and tried ,otherwise whatever he says will have no credibility
@Uza Syed:
Impeccable logic. You are going to issue arrest warrant for anyone criticiszing Pakistan across the world.
You should actually try it and see!
@Uza.
Don't cry. Best not to break any laws. That way there is nothing to fear.
Mansoor Ijaz is a true Pakistani patriot.
You try to violate any of US laws and insult their sense of their national interest and then ask for a visa and find out how they welcome you. If you get there, let them show you if their laws apply on violators of their laws and their sense of national interest?
@Paki Voice Whats the latest on the 'node' front?
lol
waiting for final NODE from their Leader . . !!!