Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States is fighting a Pakistani court that ordered him to return to Islamabad to answer charges from a judicial inquiry that accused him of “disloyalty” over the so-called “Memogate” affair.
Husain Haqqani, now an adviser to the Washington-based lobbying firm of Cassidy and Associates, would be risking his life if he were to return, his Pakistani attorney, Asma Jahangir, told the Pakistan Supreme Court this week.
“It is enormously risky for Haqqani to attend the hearing in person,” she said. “Security of his life outweighs the requirement of him being physically present at the hearing.”
The inquiry accused Mr. Haqqani of misusing his position as ambassador last year by sending a letter to the Pentagon to seek U.S. help to prevent a possible overthrow of the civilian government by military leaders upset over the American commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden, who was hiding in a Pakistani garrison town.
Mr. Haqqani has denied any part in the affair.
• Call Embassy Row at 202-636-3297 or e-mail jmorrison@washingtontimes.com. The column is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
James Morrison joined the The Washington Times in 1983 as a local reporter covering Alexandria, Va. A year later, he was assigned to open a Times bureau in Canada. From 1987 to 1989, Mr. Morrison was The Washington Times reporter in London, covering Britain, Western Europe and NATO issues. After returning to Washington, he served as an assistant foreign editor ...
By Elaine Donnelly
Extending sexual misconduct to combat units
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
A collection of reader guest articles, thoughts and opinions by Communities writers and breaking news and information.
Abhishek Seth re-considers the power of PR, Issue Placement, the world at large, and the issues at hand.
Benghazi: The anatomy of a scandal
13 Photos
Vietnam Memorial adds four names
18 Photos
Cinco de Mayo on the Mall
11 Photos
NRA kicks off annual convention
8 Photos
