Haqqani was implicated in the scandal where he allegedly had a memo delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen through Mansoor Ijaz. PHOTO: PID/ FILE
The court had resumed hearings on Monday after a five week recess of the case where former ambassador to US was implicated in a scandal in which he allegedly had a memo delivered through Mansoor Ijaz to top US Admiral Mike Mullen offering greater cooperation against the Pakistan military in the aftermath of the Abbottabad raid on May 2, 2011. Haqqani denied any such involvement and resigned in protest.
As a larger bench heard the case, the attorney general assured Haqqani that he will be given “fool-proof, VIP security” upon his return since the matter of security was projected as a hindrance from appearing in court earlier last month.
The former ambassador's counsel Asma Jehangir rejected this offer and said that they did not have faith in the government’s promise.
During last month’s hearing, Asma Jehangir had submitted a letter that she wrote to the interior ministry with regards to her client’s security. She informed that Haqqani cannot appear before the court in person due to security concerns.
Jehangir further said Haqani had been receiving threats via social media and asked the concerned authorities to investigate the matter.
The court has given Haqqani one last chance to be present at the next hearing, in three weeks time.
“Hussain Haqqani must be present at the next hearing under any circumstances, otherwise legal action will be taken”, said the chief justice.
The court’s message will be delivered to Haqqani through the Pakistan Embassy.
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Demanding that Mr Haqqani must fulfil his undertaking of returning to the country despite threats to his life is thin on legality, since there is merely an inquiry against him, and not a trial, (the SC cannot be the trial court in any case). The SC, therefore, exhibiting restraint, should avoid issuance of orders that will not be respected in theory and practice. There does not seem to be any substance left in the memo case, and instead of trying to coerce Husain Haqqani to return, the SC, in a prudent move, should terminate the inquiry, which culminated without bringing any evidence against the former ambassador, and which, being conducted without due process, could further embarrass the SC.
Can we please put the Memogate issue to rest now that Mansoor Ijaz, the star witness in this case, has refused to come to Pakistan? It is quite sad to see that the time of the superior judiciary is being wasted on a political issue while there are hundreds of thousands of people still waiting for justice in cases that have been in the courts for decades. It is time to end the Memogate issue and concentrate on things that are far more important to this country and its people’s well being. Memo commission should also stop wasting time of this nation. Today, Mansoor Ijaz says come to London, tomorrow if he demands to come to USA, what will happen? Do not waste this money on such fruitless adventures. I am sure there would be great hue and cry if Hussain Haqqanihad refused to come to Pakistan? Hussain Hussain Haqqani is also facing lifethreats yet he appeared before court, why not Mansoor Ijaz?
So he does not trust the security of the government he was representing? If that is the case then why did he agree to take the job in the first place?
Whether Haqqani comes or not, Mansoor Ijaz also did no turn up.
It does not mean that the open case will be shut down.
CJ is about to cancell Hussain Haqqani's passport and then Hussain Haqqani will be extradited to Pakistan through interpole.
"A sovereign guarantee of security was rejected by former Pakistan Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani’s counsel .........."
WHAT AN OPENING LINE !!!!!!!!!!
Country's sovereign guarantee rejected by its former ambassador to USA.
@Rsk: Who asked haqqani to represent us?
@ SKChadha,
The common man in pakistan dont have a choice. See how the scores get killed almost every day. If you feel that they are patriotic and therefore face the bullets and bombs you are mistaken a lot. Everyone, and i mean here each and everyone, given an opportunity will run away to a different country.
“Hussain Haqqani must be present at the next hearing under any circumstances, otherwise legal action will be taken”, said the chief justice.”
Haah! What a Joke, SC is living in fools paradise. What SC has done over the dozens of orders that stills need implementation.
Consider what happened to Salman Taseer and what the government did, consider also the many thousands, not so well known people. The less said about security in Pakistan the better.
arrange his stay in President house again
Haqqani was prominent ambassador and representing the nation at USA. He was described as elite selected by the elected government for the job ...? He now doesn't have faith on same elected government and its establishment? He fears for his life from the same government and its citizenry to whom he was representing and defending 2-3 years back? There is no change of the government in between? It that is the condition of Ambassadors, how other nations and their citizenry can have faith on Pakistan ..???
“Hussain Haqqani must be present at the next hearing under any circumstances, otherwise legal action will be taken”, said the chief justice."
CJ sahib, he is not going to come. Time to decide the case. Cancelling his passport will only help him obtain asylum faster.