Having remained silent on the memogate scandal for the last few months, the United States finally released a statement demanding a fair and transparent judicial process.
US senators have reportedly voiced concern over former ambassador Husain Haqqani’s ‘mistreatment’ in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the State Department’s spokesperson also told journalists in Washington DC that the US believes “it is important for us to speak out, as we do around the world, about an appropriate constitutional and legal process for him and to make clear that we’re watching.”
What effect, if any, will this and similar statements have on the judicial process?
Given the earlier silence, do these statements mean the US is concerned about the judicial process?
Should Pakistan’s foreign office respond to these statements?
Dawn.com invites its readers to give their views and suggestions.
Above all Allah is watching … this is the concern of 170 million people of this country .We can maintain our freedom by remaining free of any external power’s influence and decide issues in the best interest of this country and nation …
Very well stated. Allah is watching. i only pray that Haqanni, Zardari, Gillani and their entire “cabinet” meets the punishment through the Hands of God, Allah. Pakistanis are not for sale, and Pakistan is not their “estate” to be given to the enemies of the country.
To be ambitious is not wrong but to be ambitious only for one´s own benifits and survival is wrong which brings fatal consequences for others.
It is not only Hussain Haqqani who is to be blamed all the time. It is Pakistani leadership who appoints such over ambitious personalities. We do not take the responsibiities og our wrong actions taken in the past and their consequences.
If we go furter into the depth of this matter then we all are responsible for such leadership. We must learn a lesson from these scandals and decide what we need to do in future.
May God bless us with wisdom so we can choose a leader who has the ability to appoint ambitious people with the country first – agenda.
Absolutely correct. Well said Janjuah.
May Allah protect Pakistan out of danger hands of any individual person or a group or any foreign evil elements!
Allah will save over pakistan insha allah
Husain Haqqani has given lot of support to US as Ambassador, which includes unlimited visas and trying to isolate / limit Pakistan Army. Pakistan Army is the only resistance inside Pakistan against US Operation (although it was not fully effective). Now in the change scenario Husain Haqqani is not effective as he use to be, now he is an old employee which want’s big benefit plan for his services but very little productivity. Now US want to get rid of Husain Haqqani, memo gate scandal is basically killing two birds with one arrow. If anything happen to Husain Haqqani in Pakistan ultimately the blame will be on Pakistan Army. The result will be more problem for Pakistan Army.
“It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal.”
Haqqani in known to be a complex personality changing loyalties at different times. He has been writing against Pakistan army and establishment and his views are known. He was looking after the interests of a group in America rather than the interests of the country. He developed relations in USA looking after their interests as well. That is why America is perturbed by the Memo gate investigation. His wife Farahnaz is these days in US meeting different pressure groups and she is being heard over there resulting in statements from US Senators and others. This is very shameful on the part of such people working against their own country and defaming the country. The Memo gate has to be investigated to its logical end and those responsible have to be taken to task. Allah save Pakistan
Absolutely correct Zahoor.
It was Haqqani’s wide contacts within the US administration that saved Pakistan on many occasions. In today’s high tech era duplicity and deceit have a short shelf life. On numerous occasions Haqqani has saved Pakistan including during the 26/11 Mumbai massacre when the proof conclusively led to the spooks. The Establishment is well aware that Haqqani, PM and President know the games being played by elements within. Suddenly an unsigned memo has appeared.
Without Haqqani’s contacts Pakistan is destined to be declared a state sponsor of Terrorism. It was he who was selfless and patriotic to his country. Those who are the avowed care takers of national interests are affiliated to Hafiz Saeed, Sirajuddin Haqqani, Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim, Mullah Omar, Hakeemullah Mehsud and the likes. Did Husain Haqqani shelter Osama Bin Laden the Worlds most wanted terrorist in Abbotabad for years ? Whose actions have made Pakistan a pariah state – Husain Haqqani or those who want to get him ? Who should be tried ?
watch your own country as it slips out of your hands and into the civillians hands
USA should be told to watch its own home rather than interfere in the business of other countries. Contrary to what the US preaches, there are no civil liberties, no human rights and no regards to democracy at all.
Fair and transparent trial is a fundamental right under international law, even for aliens.
Are we asking Us to encourage take overs as they did in the past.
Military takeovers in Pakistan happened and were sustained by US. The one by Musharraf did,t take place with their blessing but was sustained with their help.Right wing opposed Ayub’s regime but supported Zia.
Then nobody asked US to mind their own business.Now Us is being asked to prevent takeovers. And every one is up in roar. Are we signalling Washington that they should encourage takeovers.
Why Pakistan depends on USA now and again.Is Pakistan not capable to manage their own affairs?The time has come when Pakistan must be truly independent above party politics.Mr.Gilani seems a capable elader in the whole lot.
Mr.Gilani seems a capable leader in the whole lot.
LOL
Are you kidding Ashok, I hope you are not refering to and mistaken to some neighbour of yours, who is good at gardening and keeping his cars shinny?
I wish we could really pick one leader, whom we can call a leader and who is a true patriot, this country only needs a whip and all present leader taken to some high tides and their ship sunk. They have ruined the country and we all are busy playing the blame games. We all tend to blame the problems rather then solving the problems.
We need a tsunami to clean this nation, even if we have to sacrifise some innocents…
reading through all those comments.. i could not help but wonder ,,, why do we not care one bit when we as a nation are on the receiving end when it comes to the aid USA bestows upon us so lavishly ,,, yes i do believe most of us are not even in favor of the aid in the first place but the fact remains ,,, we do get millions of dollars every year…and not just the so called convicted establishment but the army as well ….how often have we witnessed even a dash of reaction against such statements made by our dear SAM ?? wake up everyone …
And who wrote the memo to US to say “We are watching”.
Roger Rao, don’t worry about us – we will eventually get the bull by the horns and direct our own destiny. As for your comments, why is the US so interested in this particular case. There are so many other cases in the SC Pakistan, why just this one?
And about fair and transparent judiciary, US has no moral authority nor the cadre to even bring this about as their own hands are dirty. Between Gitmo and extra judicial killings through drones that argument from the US is out the door. Speaking of which, we will open a plethra of cases against the US in the International Criminal Court for indiscriminate Pakistani civilian killings by drones. Then we will see how fair and transparent the judiciary is going to be.
In the meanwhile stick it and mind your business till we make it yours.
Judiciary in Pakistan is a controlled one and onlyacts on the establishment wishes,if Government servants like Army cheif and ISI director appears without getting permission from the government are entertained and no questions asked what else can you expect from this biased judiciarry.Pakistan has been destroyed by these mullah millitary alliance with the support of courts from day one of its inception,No sane person can expect good from the establishment comprising of mullah military and judicial alliance.
the secular and anti Pakistan elements want Pakistan to remain silent over the USA statement. this is the reality even if my comment is deleted soon afterwards
Haqqani has, through his written outbursts spanning over a decade, has left no doubt that his loyalties lie in Washington and New Delhi, and not in Pakistan.
Such traitors deserve no mercy!
People in Pakistan are getting wiser. They know former Ambassador Haqqani has been working against Pakistan’s national interest, playing party politics, and working for the United States. He has to be punished as all traitors should. No forgiveness or mercy for those who sell the interests of Pakistan. He has been against the Armed Forces from the beginning.
Why big brother is saying that they are watching? Simply because, Hussain Haqqani is CIA agent. He works more than any thing for them. Its nexus between Haqqani, Rehman Malik and Zardari. Rember, once notificiation of putting ISI under Ministry of Interior was issued which was subsequently withdrawn. When Zardari was in America for so called treatment, who facilitated his meeting with american congressmen and planned taking over charimanship PPP to become President / Prime Minister
Irfan is correct in his comments. There has been a conspiracy hatching in United States for a long time against Pakistan’s interest. Haqqani was acting for the United States while acting as Pakistan’s Ambassador. He was selling out the Pakistani State to the Uinited States of America. PPP leadership is absolutely corrupt.
The situation is now becoming clear. Memo originated with the help of a dubious character to put pressure and destabalize the country . Usual quarters (establishment) who drive strength from USA highlighted the matter. New war theaters being planned in the region which require support from Pakistan.The existing setup is not quite willing to go along.
General Musharraf (ex trusted friend of USA) changed his plans to return and coming early despite of all the threats and cases.
Lets see what more is to come in months ahead.
As a Pakistani, I know that the current SC is quite biased. I welcome the statement of US. I hope this can ensure a fair judicial process but lopking at the recent history, I still doubt that the court will be JUST.
lol
So slight indication has been given by US Gov’t that they are concerned. Though they have been tightly lipped during all course giving impression that It’s Pakistan internal issue but now with this statement many of us, who previously suspected this issue, would reconsider their point of view.
I really don’t get the big deal. First this is fairly routine operating procedure for Pakistani politicians and technocrats. Anyone who followed the wikileaks’ papers that dawn posted sometime ago should know that. Second the guy was probably directed to do this by the thief in chief calling himself president these days. And if anything he was asking for help to preserve a democratic administration; flawed as it is, against the threat of a potential military coup. I would think the people of Pakistan would be sick of the military by now. It has proven itself, these past few years to be inept at everything except perhaps swaying public opinion and attention to things that really don’t benefit the country, such as this. Pakistan has so many other problems that this should really not even be on the radar.
Don’t know if this will be published by the moderator. I am interested in the welfare of Pakistan, though I am not a Pakistani.
It is sad, but not surprising to see the comments on this board, in response to the article. Indeed, it is Pakistan’s internal business – not USA’s. No question about it. However, the truth of the matter is that a transparent judicial process of this case is in the interest of Pakistan, more than (or at least as equally) as it is for the USA. You don’t believe me? Well, the person charged with the “crime” is seeking shelter in the Prime Minister’s house. Can if get worse than this? Unfortunately though, the more the USA tries to help (whatever their objectives), the more it feeds the nationalistic frenzy in Pakistan – thus blinding the average Pakistani to dig in his heels and stick for, and support, all the wrong-doings of the “Establishment” of the country.
When will the Pakistani “wake up” and do things on his own? When will he fight to keep, for example, this case conducted transparently? Honestly, do you guys REALLY trust your “Establishment”? Do you guys REALLY trust your power mongers to support your interests when you yourself throw it away with your jingoistic approach? Because, whether you like it or not, that is what it is.
Pakistanis (and other South Asians) should learn the art of taking what is good emanating from outside of their geographical entities, gracefully, and work it to their advantage meaningfully. Is it not clear that your leaders are trying to do the same, because they have no other recourse? Is it not clear that every Civilian leader of Pakistan has done so for a very long time – given that the stranglehold of the power-mongers of Pakistan have been absolute in scope and substance?
Please wake up and smell the coffee. You don’t have to do it in the name of the USA, in the name of your Religion, or in the name of any nationalistic fervor. But don’t you want to do it in the name of your personal interests, human dignity, democratic principles, long term interests, saying-enough-is-enough-of-all-your-troubles, etc. etc.?
Roger
excellent points. This is the reality for us, but we are much better at complaining and blaming than facing our problems and taking action.
Excellent point….
since the matter is subjudice in appex court – let us wait of the decision thereof – as a nation we require to respect its verdict.
I think this matter, as it is now, cannot be called subjudice, as it is in front of a judicial commission for inquiry. Anyway, casting aspersion to the members of the commission who are incidentally sitting judges, and also of course to the intent of the judiciary and judges would not be fair, and hence should in all probability be avoided, particularly by the over-enthusiastic anti-‘establishment’ shenanigans.