The Supreme Court of Pakistan.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, Hussain Haqqani, has refused to return to Pakistan, saying the government was incapable of providing him security, DawnNews reported.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard the case.

During the hearing, Haqqani’s counsel, Asma Jahangir, informed the court that her client was unwilling to return to Pakistan and did not trust the security assurances given by the government.

On the court’s probing, Attorney General Irfan Qadir informed the bench on details of the safety measures to be adopted for Haqqani’s security.

The court clarified that legal action would be taken if Haqqani fails to appear for the next hearing, adding that in that event his passport would also be cancelled.

Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing for three weeks.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had given Interior Secretary Khawaja Siddiq Akbar until March 11 to provide fool-proof security to Haqqani upon his return to the country.

The memo scandal had erupted after Haqqani was first named in the controversy by US businessman Mansoor Ijaz who had said that it was the former ambassador who had asked him (Ijaz) to deliver the memo to the then US military chief days after the May 2, 2011 US raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...