The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday said it seeks implementation of its order against former ambassador of Pakistan to the US, Hussain Haqqani to appear before the bench, adding it does not know about the threats to his life.
Appearing before the nine-member SC’s bench, Haqqani’s Counsel Asma Jahangir informed the bench that her client declined to come back to Pakistan over security concerns.
According to a private television channel, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry, heading the bench, queried as to what could be made out of it if someone does not appear before the court despite the repeated order, noting coercive methods will have to be adopted to bring him back.
The bench comprises Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Jawwad S. Khwaja, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Tariq Pervez, Justice Aijaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed.
It should be mentioned here that the apex court provided several opportunities to former ambassador Haqqani to defend himself before the bench; however, he has refused to come back to Pakistan.
Responding to the CJP’s remarks that Haqqani will be forced to come back, Asma retorted, “Do whatever you have to do. I cannot personally go abroad to bring him back,” adding that her client is receiving threats on social medi, she demanded foreign and interior ministries to probe these threats.
The court, adjourning the hearing till February 12, directed Interior Secretary to appear before the court during the next hearing to brief the court about the action taken up in response to Asma Jahangir’s letter dated December 31.