Memogate: Desperate Haqqani Lawyer boycotts Memo Panel

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Traitor on the run, Hussain Haqqani

ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistani ambassador to the USZ, handpicked by Washington itself, Hussain Haqqani’s lawyers on Saturday decided to boycott the proceedings of the judicial commission probing into the memo scandal over their determination to do justice. Haqqani’s counsel Zahid Bokhari, in a desperate attempt to save his traitor client from the claws of justice said having forensic examination of Mansoor Ijaz’ BlackBerry after the completion of arguments was “against the law”. He said the orders for forensic examination of the handset were issued on March 19, as he asked why the tests were not done till now. “Mansoor Ijaz had the doors for forensic examination shut after handing over his handset”, Bokhari said.

He said Akram Sheikh had admitted that Husain Haqqani was suing Mansoor Ijaz in a USZ court. “Let the case be decided in the USZ court.” Earlier, the judicial commission issued orders for conducting forensic tests on Mansoor Ijaz’ BlackBerry phone in London. Secretary for the memo commission Raja Jawad Abbas had been directed to go to London in this regard. Zahid Bokhari summed up his arguments where he told the court that Ijaz was of “dubious character” and had not been able to back up his statements with proof. Mansoor Ijaz, through his counsel had said that he was ready to present his BlackBerry handset and computer to the secretary of the commission for inspection; however, any inspection would take place in London.

The commission concluded its proceedings after hearing final arguments from Advocate Bukhari, Advocate Akram Sheikh, Advocate Naseer Bhutta and deputy attorney general Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri on Friday. Advocate Bukhari strongly objected to the commission’s proposal for forensic verification on Friday and said no evidence could be ascertained once the arguments were complete. Bukhari argued before the commission that the commission was trying to penalise his client at any cost. When asked why the Pakistan’s former ambassador had relations with a man of doubtful character, Advocate Bukhari submitted that an ambassador was duty bound to watch his country’s interests. “In the line of his duty, he also meets with some notorious people”, Bukhari said.

The commission said Haqqani had been having relationships with Ijaz not during his three and a half years tenure as an ambassador but he was having relations with him for the last 10 years much prior to his appointment as an ambassador.

Pakistan Cyber Force

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