Supreme Court asks Asma Jahangir to file request for his client’s security

Expressing displeasure over the non-appearance of Hussain Haqqani, the Supreme Court asked Asma Jahangir to file a request for obtaining security for her client.

The court directed the counsel for Haqqani to guide the Interior Secretary K M Siddiq Akbar as to what kind of security was required by her client, former envoy to the United States Husain Haqqani.

A nine-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has been hearing into the controversy revolving around the memo scandal.

The judicial commission constituted by the Supreme Court had held that Haqqani was the originator and architect of the memorandum sent to former US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen seeking US intervention to avert a possible overthrow of the civilian government by the military.

The court during the today’s hearing asked Asma Jahangir that his client should explain what kind of fears he had with respect to returning to Pakistan. Jahangir said that her client wanted to come to Pakistan, but was apprehensive due to the ongoing security situation of the country.

The counsel told the bench that the country’s security situation was at its worst, adding that the court had itself expressed concern over the law and order situation in Karachi.

She further said that Haqqani had asked why it was essential for him to come to Pakistan. The chief justice said if Haqqani failed to return, an arrest warrant would be issued against him.

The chief justice said that one should not remark regarding the security situation of Pakistan, while staying in a foreign country, adding that it was not like no one was given protection in Pakistan. The chief justice directed the interior secretary to submit a report to the Registrar of the Supreme Court two weeks prior to the next hearing, confirming the security arrangements.

In the past, the lawyer further stated, Haqqani was considered important enough to be allowed to stay in the prime minister’s house, adding that, now he would have to file a request with the interior ministry for his security.

Moreover, during the hearing, the interior secretary told the bench that Haqqani would be provided security in light of the dangers he faced. Subsequently, the court adjourned the case’s hearing sine die.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Nov 13 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.