Memogate: No faith in govt's security promise, says Haqqani's counsel

Court tells Haqqani to appear before it in person within three weeks "under any circumstances" or face legal action.


Web Desk March 11, 2013
Haqqani was implicated in the scandal where he allegedly had a memo delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen through Mansoor Ijaz. PHOTO: PID/ FILE

ISLAMABAD: A sovereign guarantee of security was rejected by former Pakistan Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani's counsel in the Memogate case even as the court ordered that he return to Pakistan within three weeks or face legal action, Express News reported on Monday.

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.

COMMENTS (12)

Nadir | 11 years ago | Reply

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.

Ijaz | 11 years ago | Reply

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?

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