Defying orders: Haqqani a no-show at memo case hearing in SC
A nine-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, was hearing the case.
The court trusted Haqqani but he did not comply with the court orders, remarked an irked Justice Chaudhry.
The chief justice said that Haqqani had left on a four-day notice after reassuring in writing that he would return.
Asma Jahangir, who was presenting arguments on Haqqani's behalf, replied saying that Hussain Haqqani’s plea for immunity from court appearance was still pending.
Haqqani had earlier forwarded an application seeking review of the Supreme Court‘s earlier order that obligated him to appear in person.
Bringing to light the fact that the court was yet to approve or reject the request, Justice Chaudhry said that he should have appeared in court.
He said that the copy of Haqqani’s letter had not been given to the petitioners either.
Jahangir said that although it had not been given to him, a copy had been shown to Barrister Zafarullah.
When Jehangir remarked that Haqqani was afraid of coming here as the commission probing his case had also called him a traitor, Justice Tasadduq Hussain Jilani said that the court did not agree with the commission’s remarks.
Haqqani was implicated in the scandal where he allegedly had a memo delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen through Mansoor Ijaz. The memo had offered greater government cooperation in return for US backing against the powerful military in the immediate aftermath of the May 2 raid.
The chief justice said that the court had not ordered Haqqani to stay only in Pakistan.
When Jahangir said that he faced security risks, the chief justice enquired from the attorney general whether he could assure Haqqani of security.
He replied saying that although it was not his job to provide security, he could ask the government and let them know.
The court then summoned the interior secretary in this regard.
Top legal experts are convinced he will not return to Pakistan in the wake of the Memo commission report, which squarely pinned the blame on him for authoring the seditious memo.
COMMENTS (15)
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@ali: The partial judges are the reason for this mockery of justice. Have you ever heard about a criminal called Arsalan Iftikhar Chaudhry s/o Chaudhry Iftikhar and he hyperactive judges to provide him protection and cover his crimes? If still anyone talks about justice and judiciary and all such jazz then I suspect his ability to think objectively.
Why and who allowed Haqqani to go out of Pakistan, that now he is not appearing the court!!! Total mockery of justice!!!
HH would and should return to Pakistan and face the court along with Gen Mush. There should not be any double standards.
There is little point in appearing before a Court which has already made up its mind. The proceedings of Memo-commission were partisan to the hilt and so are the proceedings of this Court.
he must accept that He had a role in memo, specially when is fighting for Civilian rule in Pakistan, the reason being that it is TRUE
Strange (and shameful) that court didn't ask the AG if it could provide security to Mansoor Ijaz. The main issue is the attitude of the court, which has been biased at best against HH. Why in the right state of mind, one would appear before such a biased and controversial bunch of judges.
That was bound to happen. The judge made a major mistake by believing that Haqqani would live up to his word. The man is an unscrupulous character at best. One cannot trust anything that comes out of Haqqani's mouth.
Like a poorly written daytime soap opera. Move on or at least investigate the reason why someone would ask the USA to intervene to prevent a military coup.
Everyone knows the type of character Mr. haqqani is. However, Ms. Asma Jehangir has proved to be the the biggest disappointment for the past 2 years.
Husain Haqqani is much, too, intelligent to fall for such a trap. He might be driven by ambition to stay in limelight but he certainly is not suicidal or naive to let his murderers the pleasure they seek in his liquidaion.
Returning to Pakistan means heading directly towards Adiala, and Professor Haqqani in not an insane to do so. He has opted to lose his wife's National Assy seat, instead of facing the court - which in his opinion is biased and already made up mind. From now onward, no one is going to benefit anything, except the Lawyers getting their fee multiplied.
And he was Pakistan's Ambassador to USA! What is happening to this country...please
If he has nothing to hide then why doesn't he show up in court and plead his case?
He will never return forget him...Next in line is president be prepared at the airports....
Mr Haqani definitely is not stupid