Memo case: Haqqani distrusts govt, refuses to return
The Supreme Court of Pakistan.—File Photo
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, Hussain Haqqani, has refused to return to Pakistan, saying the government was incapable of providing him security, DawnNews reported.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard the case.
During the hearing, Haqqani’s counsel, Asma Jahangir, informed the court that her client was unwilling to return to Pakistan and did not trust the security assurances given by the government.
On the court’s probing, Attorney General Irfan Qadir informed the bench on details of the safety measures to be adopted for Haqqani’s security.
The court clarified that legal action would be taken if Haqqani fails to appear for the next hearing, adding that in that event his passport would also be cancelled.
Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing for three weeks.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had given Interior Secretary Khawaja Siddiq Akbar until March 11 to provide fool-proof security to Haqqani upon his return to the country.
The memo scandal had erupted after Haqqani was first named in the controversy by US businessman Mansoor Ijaz who had said that it was the former ambassador who had asked him (Ijaz) to deliver the memo to the then US military chief days after the May 2, 2011 US raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound.
Why Hussain Haqqani was allowed to leave Pakistan & who authorized his departure is a million dollar question needing accountability. No one is above law. If found guilty Haqqani should be punished. It is claimed that he compromised with national security, this is a huge severely punishable crime.
Can the CJ cancel somebody’s passport – under what law does he have this authority? I may be wrong but cancelling someones passport is unlikely to be the prescribed punishment for the alleged offence.
He is the same man who was part of the same govt but under a different PM and now he doesn’t trust them. So should be charged for treason.
Haqqani Sahib, please come along and clear your good name. Otherwise, you are looking blatantly guilty, at fault and reek smell of treason. We know you are a good bloke round the block.
What an amazing situation this Govt, is in ??
Still you all praise them ? Vote for them ?
Shameful on you as well to select them.
this has exposed the govt, HH & his counsel…Ms Asma…..
do we all see a connection Haqqani and Asma both against Pakistan and both are cooperating how more evident things can be sorry state in PAKISTAN.