The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday adjourned the hearing on memo case till January next year while directing the federal interior secretary to chalk out a comprehensive security plan for the ex-Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani.
According to a private television channel, a nine-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed the hearing on a petition filed by Haqqani, who also sought exemption from appearance in the memo case.
US businessman Manzoor Ijaz brought the memo scandal into limelight when he blamed Haqqani for writing the memo to US army chief Admiral Mike Mullen seeking US help against a possible military coup in Pakistan.
In June 2012, the Supreme Court formed a commission which held that Haqqani was the architect of the secret memo.
On Monday, the court summoned the Secretary Interior Khawaja Siddique Akbar to appear in person on Tuesday and inform the court about the stance of government for providing security to Haqqani during his stay in Pakistan in connection with recording of a statement.
Haqqani’s lawyer Asma Jahangir argued that law and order situation is dilapidated which worries the former ambassador.
“My client has asked that why his return to Pakistan is necessary.”
She asked whether warrants against Haqqani would be issued in case he did not turn up.
The CJP said that in the light of court’s July 12 orders Haqqani should appear before the bench as he had pledged, adding that no arrest warrants would be issued for him if he appeared.
Khawaja said authorities would provide security to Haqqani once he specifically identifies the threats.
Jahangir referred to the ongoing unrest in Karachi and said that even the Supreme Court bench has expressed concerns over it.
“If you think that there were no threats to Mr. Haqqani then why he stayed in the Prime Minister House? I want a guarantee that there would be no threat to him from the secret agencies,” the counsel said.
At which, the chief justice said secretary interior is being entrusted with the responsibility of Haqqani’s security.
He ordered Jahangir and the secretary interior to inform the Registrar of the Supreme Court about Haqqani’s security plan two weeks ahead of the next hearing.
The court later adjourned the hearing till January.
SC orders security for Haqqani, adjourns hearing till January
