ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission probing the memogate scandal rejected former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani’s adjournment application on Thursday.
The commission also directed the government to ascertain a list of his property details and submit it before the court by April 26. During the course of the hearing, the commission expressed its discontent over Haqqani’s absence to record his statement, despite the commission's directives in the previous hearing to ensure his presence.
Haqqani's lawyer, Zahid Bukhari said that his colleague, Asma Jahangir, was aboard and that the Supreme Court was likely to take up the matter of him appearing via video link on April 20, hence requesting the hearing to be adjourned till the SC comes to a decision.
However, the commission rejected his adjournment application.
Haqqani, despite his commitment to appear before the commission within four days notice, had not presented himself in court citing life threats against his person, and claiming the court should display equality in allowing the former Ambassador to appear via a video link as Mansoor Ijaz had been.
“We have given [Haqqani] enough time and we hope he would ensure his presence in the next hearing and record his statement,” Justice Essa observed.
While submitting two new medical certificates of Haqqani, Bukhari informed the commission that his clients’ statement was important, suggesting either to wait for the SC order or record Haqqani’s statement in Washington DC.
Earlier, he had informed the court that his client had written a consent letter to Blackberry manufacturers Research in Motion (RIM) for waiver of security, adding that he was waiting on a reply from RIM.
“Either they will reply to me or my client," he added, to which the commission directed him to submit RIM’s reply to the secretary commission.
Meanwhile, Mansoor Ijaz’s counsel Sharjil Adnan Sheikh argued that Husain Haqqani had continuously disobeyed the commission’s orders of appearing before it, so his right of audience should be rescinded. On this Justice Essa issued notices to Haqqani and asked his counsel to submit reply on the next hearing date.
Director General American Desk of Foreign Office Dr Sohail Khan claimed that he did not get a report from Pakistan’s embassy in Washington DC about Haqqani losing two mobiles phones which he was using during an ambassador.
On this Justice Essa expressed his dismay and asked Dr Khan, “Are you here to play games with the commission. You are a concerned director and you don’t know anything about the issue’.
Meanwhile the commission called Secretary Foreign office Jalil Abbas Jilani, and asked to explain about the secret fund used by ambassador. However he briefed the commission in- camera. Later, the commission asked Secretary Foreign office to submit details in secret envelopes which would be returned to him.
Meanwhile PML (N) lawyer Naser Bhutta drew the commission's attention towards a news item published in The News, wherein Jahangir had issued remarks over the commission.
The commission expressed displeasure over her remarks, directing that the lawyer should follow the codes of conduct and avoid issuing controversial statements. However, Bukhari informed the commission that she did not mean to insult the commission, adding that besides being a lawyer she had also served as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and her intentions were not to insult the commission.
COMMENTS (9)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Memo commission is trying to find out something out of nothing, making this country a laughing stock. Rather than trying Mansoor Ijaz we are making mockery of our own former ambassador that is hilarious. Mansoor Ijaz constantly failed to provide any solid evidence against Hussain Haqqani. On the other hand Hussain Haqqani willingly submitted his portfolio for free, fair and impartial investigation. Mansoor Ijaz lost nothing so far but Pakistan has lost much. We have lost our best mouth in Washington. For a moment we suppose that if Mansoor Ijaz proved a liar and conspirator, what will be the compensation for Hussain Haqqani. Memo commission who is extending olive branch to Mansoor Ijaz must answer this question. All this fuss is about witch hunting of PPP government and Hussain Haqqani.
The news says "Mansoor Ijaz’s counsel Sharjil Adnan Sheikh argued that Husain Haqqani had continuously disobeyed the commission’s orders of appearing before it, so his right of audience should be rescinded. On this Justice Essa issued notices to Haqqani" Looks like a foreign double agent is prosecuting the case and the judges are following his interests and directions! If the commission cannot treat both men equal then there is no hope of any justice.
@Abdul Rahman Khan:
How does the nation know? Has the SC already made a judgement that we don't know of?
Give the guy a break ! He's just lost both his 'berries !!
Hussain Haqqani was only a 'go-between' but played an important role in the whole saga. The nation knows who the real culprit is. The former DG, ISI made a thorough inquiry, examined the whole case and concluded the 'memo' was in fact drafted at the behest of 'Ali Baba'. Nothing will come out of this commission. Sheer wastage of time to befool the people. Even if this commission holds the 'Ali Baba' resposible, will he be unseated?
Does it mean according to Pakistani courts’ interpretation of Pakistan law a Pakistani citizen is a lesser human being than a foreigner?
Why did we gain our independence, again? Can a supporter of azad adliyya remind us?
No need for dismay Mi Lord. It was inevitable when the SC gave HH permission to leave the country. Even US Congress and Govt. were involved in pressing the so called independent Judiciary for his free travel. When a foreign Govt wishes a person to travel from Pakistan to the US, you can be sure that it is not for HH's health concerns. Coupled with that the Doyen of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Asma Jehangir, made a statement to the Court that HH would come return when requested by a court in Pakistan. So much for all of those commitments. I think our Justices are living in cuckoo land when they make such decisions. Or I have a better understanding than these Judges!!!!
From the contents of this very news item, it seems that Memo-gate Commission is not proving enough time to Hussain Haqqani to submit his reply, whereas, in the case of Mansoor Ejaz he was given all sort of facilities which Mansoor Ejaz wanted.
The Memo-gate Commission is supposed to be impartial but it look likes that Memo-gate Commission is finally going to fix Hussain Haqqani by all means.
Is the Memo-gate Commission working and hearing the case to please Mansoor Ejaz and the US?