Haqqani's stint in the US comes to an end

Dawn.com Published November 23, 2011
Pakistan's envoy to the United States Haqqani has resigned over claims he wrote a memo to Washington asking for its help in reining in the country's powerful military. He denies any wrong doing. In this file photo he addresses an audience at Harvard University, May 5, 2010 ? AP Photo.
Pakistan's envoy to the United States Haqqani has resigned over claims he wrote a memo to Washington asking for its help in reining in the country's powerful military. He denies any wrong doing. In this file photo he addresses an audience at Harvard University, May 5, 2010 ? AP Photo.
Haqqani had been summoned to the country to answer allegations that he had authored the controversial memo, suggesting among other things a new national security team for Pakistan;a probe into Osama Bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad and investigations of those involved in the Mumbai attacks and then assigned Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz to deliver it to the then US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. ? File Photo.
Haqqani had been summoned to the country to answer allegations that he had authored the controversial memo, suggesting among other things a new national security team for Pakistan;a probe into Osama Bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad and investigations of those involved in the Mumbai attacks and then assigned Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz to deliver it to the then US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. ? File Photo.
Haqqani had also come under criticism over the Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid legislation which he has pushed for. In this picture taken on Aug. 19, 2010 Pakistan's former Ambassador in Washington Husain Haqqani, left, talks with US Sen. John Kerry as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari walks on in Multan, Pakistan. ? AP Photo.
Haqqani had also come under criticism over the Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid legislation which he has pushed for. In this picture taken on Aug. 19, 2010 Pakistan's former Ambassador in Washington Husain Haqqani, left, talks with US Sen. John Kerry as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari walks on in Multan, Pakistan. ? AP Photo.
Earlier this year, Haqqani had offered to resign after the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in June. In this July 19, 2010 file photo Pakistani ambassador in Washington Husain Haqqani, left, talks with Richard Holbrooke, former US Special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. ? AP Photo.
Earlier this year, Haqqani had offered to resign after the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in June. In this July 19, 2010 file photo Pakistani ambassador in Washington Husain Haqqani, left, talks with Richard Holbrooke, former US Special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. ? AP Photo.
In this file photo, a newly appointed Pakistani Ambassador to the US Haqqani speaks with The Associated Press in Washington, Friday, June 20, 2008. Haqqani had been urging patience for those in Washington frustrated with his government's pursuit of peace deals with tribes along the lawless Pakistani-Afghan border. ? AP Photo.
In this file photo, a newly appointed Pakistani Ambassador to the US Haqqani speaks with The Associated Press in Washington, Friday, June 20, 2008. Haqqani had been urging patience for those in Washington frustrated with his government's pursuit of peace deals with tribes along the lawless Pakistani-Afghan border. ? AP Photo.
Former Pakistani Ambassador Husain Haqqani in a file photo, at this occasion he was defending Pakistan's right to lead the fight against the Taliban with its own borders at the University of Arkansas, Wednesday, July 29, 2009. ? AP Photo
Former Pakistani Ambassador Husain Haqqani in a file photo, at this occasion he was defending Pakistan's right to lead the fight against the Taliban with its own borders at the University of Arkansas, Wednesday, July 29, 2009. ? AP Photo
Husain Haqqani addresses a memorial service in honor of slain minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti at the embassy in Washington on March 9, 2011. Haqqani said that Pakistanis were tolerant but needed to speak out in the wake of the killing of Bhatti. ? AFP Photo.
Husain Haqqani addresses a memorial service in honor of slain minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti at the embassy in Washington on March 9, 2011. Haqqani said that Pakistanis were tolerant but needed to speak out in the wake of the killing of Bhatti. ? AFP Photo.
Farahnaz Asfhani, spokesperson of President Asif Zaradari and wife of former Pakistani ambassador in Washington Husain Haqqani, talks to reporters in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday, Nov 21, 2011. Asfhani announced that she will file defamation charges against Mansoor Ijaz and called the secret Memo to Admiral Mike Mullen, a pack of lies. ? AP Photo.
Farahnaz Asfhani, spokesperson of President Asif Zaradari and wife of former Pakistani ambassador in Washington Husain Haqqani, talks to reporters in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday, Nov 21, 2011. Asfhani announced that she will file defamation charges against Mansoor Ijaz and called the secret Memo to Admiral Mike Mullen, a pack of lies. ? AP Photo.
Pakistan has appointed former information minister Sherry Rehman as its new envoy to Washington. ? File Photo.
Pakistan has appointed former information minister Sherry Rehman as its new envoy to Washington. ? File Photo.

In the short three years that Hussain Haqqani was Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States he has struggled to survive. As the country’s highest diplomat, Haqqani has acted as a pacifier between the often, highly tense Pak-American relations.

He was highly criticised at home over the Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid legislation, accused of granting visa’s easily to ‘CIA spies’ and has also faced the heat in Washington over the US raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.

He resigned today over a secret memo that was leaked, asking the United States for direct intervention in stopping the Pakistan army.  – Photos by Agencies.

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ali
Nov 26, 2011 09:47pm
Good that his stint has ended. Now it will also be good if he goes back and settles in his country.
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Rashid Ahmad
Nov 27, 2011 01:27pm
I do not know the contents of Haqqani's letter of resignation. I believe Haqqani's act of asking a foreign governments intervention in the internal affairs of his own country merits his trial under treason and treachery. Simple acceptance of his resignation is not proper remedy. Rashid Ahmad Paris
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