Keeping it in perspective
Justice requires that an enquiry be conducted before removing any important functionary of the state for any commission, omission or indiscretion on his part. This is what was done after the Abbottabad affair which had stunned the entire nation. The demands for the resignation of Hussain Haqqani by certain sections were, thus, indicative of double standards. What needs to be done now is to appoint an enquiry committee comprising members seen by the general public as independent and non-controversial to afford the former ambassador a chance to clear his name. The appointment of Sherry Rehman sidelined by the PPP government avowedly for her independent views on certain media related issue as the new ambassador would be welcomed by many. Known for her enlightened opinions, Rehman would help project a soft image of Pakistan abroad.
The issue of the memo sent by Mansoor Ijaz to Mike Mullen has already been blown out of proportion. It is time there is respite to the hype. It is surprising that while Mullen didn’t care to touch the memo with a ten foot pole for doubts about the authenticity of the document and reliability of the man who had forwarded it, sections of the opposition and national media went overboard on the matter. Nawaz Sharif threatened that his parliamentarians would no longer sit in the assemblies if an immediate enquiry was not launched into the memo controversy. Some of the lesser lights of his party lost all sense of proportion. Even before the arrival of Haqqani and a proper enquiry, sections of the media initiated a trial by implication of the president and prime minister. The matter assumed top priority in national politics.
It is time rationality is restored. The country faces highly serious issues, some with existential ramifications. Priority needs to be given to the resolution of these issues, foremost being the national economy and law and order. The issue of the memo must not be allowed to become a red herring.