Memogate scandal: Haqqani excuses himself from appearing before commission

Lawyer says reason for not appearing before commission are some medical tests scheduled in US.

Husain Haqqani has excused himself from appearing before the judicial commission for the Memogate scandal hearing that was to be held on April 5, Express News reported on Wednesday.

Haqqani's lawyer, Zahid Bukhari filed a request claiming that his client had to undergo some tests in the US and would therefore be unable to appear before the commission.

Earlier, the  judicial commission probing the Memogate scandal issued notices to respondents in the case to appear before the commission on April 5.

The commission had before that asked the Supreme Court to extend the deadline till March 31, so Haqqani could appear before the bench.

However, the court’s deadline to decide whether Haqqani could appear before the commission via a video link passed, so it set a new date for Haqqani’s appearance.

On March 29, the apex court extended the term of the judicial commission for another six weeks. It observed that though the commission’s probe is of high importance, it should conclude soon.