Bring Hussain Haqqani back in one month, SC directs govt

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan Wednesday gave one-month deadline to federal government to bring former Pakistan’s ambassador to USA Hussain Haqqani back to Pakistan.

According to details, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) resumed hearing of the Memogate case here in Islamabad today.

CJP—during hearing—remarked that he would not tolerate any further delay in Hussain Haqqani’s return. Responding to this, director general of FIA stated that he would personally travel to United States to pursue the case.

He also informed the three-member bench that FIA would contact Interpol for the Red Warrant of Hussain Haqqani.

“Opinions should not be hurled on pending cases”, remarked CJP while adding that if the process of giving feedback on cases under hearing is not halted, he might impose ban on on-air coverage.

CJP also inquired from Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general about number of days he required to give outcome in the Memogate case.

Yesterday, The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar has termed the government’s efforts and assurances to bring Hussain Haqqani back for trial in Memogate case mere eyewash.

Hearing Memogate case, the CJP inquired about the steps the government is taking to bring back former envoy to face charges against him.

The memo in question, delivered to a high-ranking American official allegedly at Haqqani s behest in May 2011, had exposed serious rifts between the PPP government and the army after a US-based businessman brought it to light.

It was delivered to a high-ranking official and asked for help for the civilian government against the military because of the domestic turmoil triggered by the US raid that killed Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.