Haqqani accuses Imran, Sheikh Rashid for inciting ‘extremist’ supporters against him
Accuses Imran, Sheikh Rashid for sharing 'public stage with groups, leaders described internationally as...
File photo of PTI chairman Imran Khan (R) and Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (L). PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
Former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani accused Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed for inciting their “supporters in jihadist terrorist organisations” against him.
Haqqani had written a letter to the interior secretary regarding the arrangements made for his security in Pakistan. He had left the country after being allowed by the Supreme Court in the Memogate case. He though has cited threats to his life as a reason for refusing to return.
The Supreme Court bench, hearing the case, has ordered the interior secretary to finalise Haqqani’s security arrangements so he can return to the country and appear before the court.
In his letter, Haqqani stated that Imran, “who claims to speak for Pakistan’s establishment”, has publicly declared him a traitor while Sheikh Rashid called him “ghaddar ibne ghaddar” on national television.
He accused Imran and Sheikh Rashid for sharing the “public stage with groups and leaders described internationally as terrorists”.
“Their pronouncements are, therefore, seen as potential incitement to their supporters in jihadist terrorist organisations to eliminate me as a voice for a liberal and tolerant Pakistan and for Pakistan’s continued alliance with the United States of America,” Haqqani maintained.
He questioned why the elements responsible for 'demonising' him have not been rebuked by a judicial authority or investigated by the executive “so that their followers may no longer pose a threat to my person based on false assumptions”.
Read the complete letter here.
Correction: An earlier version of this article had incorrectly implied that Husain Haqqani had fled the country. The error has been made.
Haqqani had written a letter to the interior secretary regarding the arrangements made for his security in Pakistan. He had left the country after being allowed by the Supreme Court in the Memogate case. He though has cited threats to his life as a reason for refusing to return.
The Supreme Court bench, hearing the case, has ordered the interior secretary to finalise Haqqani’s security arrangements so he can return to the country and appear before the court.
In his letter, Haqqani stated that Imran, “who claims to speak for Pakistan’s establishment”, has publicly declared him a traitor while Sheikh Rashid called him “ghaddar ibne ghaddar” on national television.
He accused Imran and Sheikh Rashid for sharing the “public stage with groups and leaders described internationally as terrorists”.
“Their pronouncements are, therefore, seen as potential incitement to their supporters in jihadist terrorist organisations to eliminate me as a voice for a liberal and tolerant Pakistan and for Pakistan’s continued alliance with the United States of America,” Haqqani maintained.
He questioned why the elements responsible for 'demonising' him have not been rebuked by a judicial authority or investigated by the executive “so that their followers may no longer pose a threat to my person based on false assumptions”.
Read the complete letter here.
Correction: An earlier version of this article had incorrectly implied that Husain Haqqani had fled the country. The error has been made.