Memogate update: SC orders security detail for Haqqani

Interior secretary to submit plan two weeks before January hearing.

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court directed Interior Secretary Siddique Akbar to chalk out a comprehensive security plan for the ex-Pakistani ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani during his stay in the country during Tuesday’s Memogate hearing.

The court also directed Haqqani’s counsel to submit a request identifying the threats her client feels, so that appropriate security measures could be taken.

He ordered Haqqani’s counsel, Asma Jahangir and the interior secretary to inform the Supreme Court registrar about the security plan two weeks ahead of the next hearing, which was pushed to January 2013.

Jahangir stated that a serious security threat hindered her client from physically appearing before the court to face the charges of treason levelled against him.

The SC summoned the interior secretary in the court to address those safety concerns.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said that Haqqani had pledged to come back on short notice of the court, but he did not honour his commitment.

“He has to come back otherwise the court will issue an arrest warrant notice to bring him back,” the chief justice maintained.

During the course of the hearing the interior secretary told the bench that Haqqani would be provided security in light of the danger he feels.

Jahangir told the bench that the country’s security situation was at its worst, adding that the court itself had expressed concern over the law and order situation in Karachi many times.

“I want a guarantee that there will be no threat to him from secret agencies,” she said.   The chief justice responded that the interior secretary will ensure Haqqani’s security.

Manzoor Ijaz, a US citizen of Pakistani origin brought the case to light when he accused Haqqani of writing a memo to US army chief Admiral Mike Mullen seeking the country’s help against a possible military coup in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2012.