Memo Commission to submit its report to the Supreme Court

After spending many weeks, the judicial commission constituted to probe the infamous memogate, completed its proceedings Friday.

However, the commission will have to take a decision whether forensic reports of electronic messages on Mansoor Ijaz’s devices was necessary or not in the case. The US-business tycoon last made last offer to the commission to have his equipment examined by a commission official in London.

The commission, which was tasked to investigate whether Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani had either directed or dictated a memorandum with controversial contents, witnessed all counsels wrap up their arguments.

While concluding his arguments, Zahid Bukhari, the counsel for Hussain Haqqani informed the panel that Mansoor Ijaz of dubious character, who failed to able to prove his allegations. His client had not been kicked out nor forced to resign, instead he tendered his resignation willingly, he added.

The lawyer said although the memo fever was over, the panel had digressed by seeking details about Husain Haqqani, who was not on trial.

Quoting the statement submitted by former US National Security Advisor, General (Retd) James Jones, the counsel said the name of his client was not mentioned by Mansoor Ijaz.

He observed, “I am appearing before the Memogate judicial commission for the last time owing to his personal commitments”.

In his detailed arguments, Bukhari cited Qanun-e-Shahadat and added that the so-called corroborative evidence in the form of emails and BlackBerry messages could not be accepted without forensics under the law.

Bukhari commented, “There is no email or BBM message presented by Ijaz, which shows Haqqani asked Mansoor Ijaz to write the memo or deliver it. In his cross-questioning, Ijaz has admitted that he wrote the memo. Hence the origin of the memo is from Mansoor Ijaz”.

Seconding the arguments of Bukhari, Deputy Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri said Akram Sheikh had claimed that his client was a simple businessman although he was engaged in talks in Sudan, Kashmir and other parts of world and had links with about 24 intelligence agencies of the world.

He stated Ijaz was loyal only to the US and had nothing to do with Pakistan’s interests. He defended the absence of Haqqani, saying the former ambassador, due to his ailment, could not attend the proceedings but was ready to be cross-examined via a video link from abroad.

Later, Justice Isa directed his assistant to contact Ijaz’s lawyer, Akram Sheikh asking him to present Ijaz’s BlackBerry sets to the commission.

Upon which, Mansoor Ijaz, through his counsel said that he was ready to present his BlackBerry handset and computer to the secretary of the commission for inspection, however, any inspection will take place in London.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on May 5 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.