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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday summoned Interior Ministry secretary to appear before the court today (Tuesday) for addressing the security concerns shown by Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, while visiting Pakistan to appear in memo case.
A nine-member larger bench of the apex court, headed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, while resuming hearing of memo case, observed that it would ask the government to provide ample security to Haqqani on his arrival, stay and departure from Pakistan.
The court summoned the interior secretary to appraise it of effective measures for security to Husain Haqqani.
Appearing on notice, Asma Jehangir, counsel for Haqqani, contended that matters pertaining to his client’s review petition as well as his plea for exemption from appearance before the court in the instant case is still pending before the court.
The chief justice, however, observed that the former ambassador was not granted exemption from court’s appearance; hence, first his appearance before the court would be decided.
The chief justice reminded the counsel that her client was allowed to fly abroad after his promise that he will be available on a four days notice.
“Mr Haqqani should first return to the country and fulfil his promise, he made with the court,” the CJ remarked.
Asma Jehangir contended that her client appeared before the commission for recording his statement through video conference in London but he was not facilitated by the commission, hence, the scenario has totally changed regarding his availability on a four days notice.
She further contended that here client’s right was usurped as he was confined before going abroad.
The counsel further submitted that free movement is right of every citizen, but Haqqani’s fundamental rights were dropped when condition of permission for going abroad was imposed on him by the court.
Asma contended that the former ambassador has serious threats to his life in case he returns to Pakistan in such situation.
Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani told the learned counsel that the commission had only given its opinion that has not been approved by the court yet.
During the hearing, the court observed that the petitioners were directed to file replies and objections within five days but nobody has submitted replies so far.
At this, Asma Jahangir informed the court that a copy of Haqqani’s letter was shown to Barrister Zafarullah for information after the hearing.
Justice Saqib Nisar said that the letter is a privileged conversation between a lawyer and his client, and that there is no legal status of such conversation.
Asma contended that in compliance with the court’s order regarding reasons of non-appearance of Haqqani before the court she has filed replies repeatedly but objections were raised by the concerned branch.
Meanwhile, the court asked Attorney General Irfan Qadir as to whether he could ensure security to Husain Haqqani upon his arrival and stay for the instant matter as well his secure departure to abroad.
Irfan Qadir replied that being the attorney general he cannot make commitment for Haqqani’s protection, however, he submitted that he could consult the government in this regard.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing, after summoning the federal interior secretary for today (Tuesday).
A nine-member larger bench of the apex court, headed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, while resuming hearing of memo case, observed that it would ask the government to provide ample security to Haqqani on his arrival, stay and departure from Pakistan.
The court summoned the interior secretary to appraise it of effective measures for security to Husain Haqqani.
Appearing on notice, Asma Jehangir, counsel for Haqqani, contended that matters pertaining to his client’s review petition as well as his plea for exemption from appearance before the court in the instant case is still pending before the court.
The chief justice, however, observed that the former ambassador was not granted exemption from court’s appearance; hence, first his appearance before the court would be decided.
The chief justice reminded the counsel that her client was allowed to fly abroad after his promise that he will be available on a four days notice.
“Mr Haqqani should first return to the country and fulfil his promise, he made with the court,” the CJ remarked.
Asma Jehangir contended that her client appeared before the commission for recording his statement through video conference in London but he was not facilitated by the commission, hence, the scenario has totally changed regarding his availability on a four days notice.
She further contended that here client’s right was usurped as he was confined before going abroad.
The counsel further submitted that free movement is right of every citizen, but Haqqani’s fundamental rights were dropped when condition of permission for going abroad was imposed on him by the court.
Asma contended that the former ambassador has serious threats to his life in case he returns to Pakistan in such situation.
Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani told the learned counsel that the commission had only given its opinion that has not been approved by the court yet.
During the hearing, the court observed that the petitioners were directed to file replies and objections within five days but nobody has submitted replies so far.
At this, Asma Jahangir informed the court that a copy of Haqqani’s letter was shown to Barrister Zafarullah for information after the hearing.
Justice Saqib Nisar said that the letter is a privileged conversation between a lawyer and his client, and that there is no legal status of such conversation.
Asma contended that in compliance with the court’s order regarding reasons of non-appearance of Haqqani before the court she has filed replies repeatedly but objections were raised by the concerned branch.
Meanwhile, the court asked Attorney General Irfan Qadir as to whether he could ensure security to Husain Haqqani upon his arrival and stay for the instant matter as well his secure departure to abroad.
Irfan Qadir replied that being the attorney general he cannot make commitment for Haqqani’s protection, however, he submitted that he could consult the government in this regard.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing, after summoning the federal interior secretary for today (Tuesday).
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