The allegations of President Zardari's involvement in the memo scandal are 'ridiculous': Hina Rabbani Khar. -Reuters Photo

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in an interview admitted that the memogate scandal had raised questions over the government's authority in handling the state's affairs.

In the interview with the BBC, Khar termed the allegations of President Asif Ali Zardari's involvement in the scandal as 'ridiculous'.

She said the scandal would be investigated impartially and at the highest level so that all political parties and people could be satisfied.

The minister further said that the controversy had created the feeling that the army was pulling the levers of power.

"Sadly it does. I cannot deny that, and that's an unfortunate part that something as ludicrous as this could raise more questions. It doesn't take much to be able to raise those questions."

Answering a question over who was in charge of the state’s affairs — the civilian government or the military leadership, she replied that it was "an evolutionary process".

"You cannot change things overnight. The army has had a larger-than-life role to play in Pakistan's history. However, you do have a democratic set up," she told the BBC.

The foreign minster refused to comment on recent reports of talks between the government and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

On Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan, she said Pakistan could help in bringing peace in Afghanistan but it could not guarantee anything.

Khar said she was not concerned about the fact that some in the US Congress wanted to cut off aid to Pakistan over the Haqqani network.

"No, I am not worried about that risk," she said.

 

Opinion

Editorial

Chinese diplomacy
Updated 14 Mar, 2026

Chinese diplomacy

THERE are signs that China is taking a more active role in trying to resolve the issue of cross-border terrorism...
Fragile gains at risk
14 Mar, 2026

Fragile gains at risk

PAKISTAN is confronting an external shock stemming from the US-Israel war on Iran that few of the other affected...
Kidney disease
14 Mar, 2026

Kidney disease

ON World Kidney Day this past Thursday, the Pakistan Medical Association raised the alarm on Pakistan’s...
Delicate balance
Updated 13 Mar, 2026

Delicate balance

PAKISTAN has to maintain a delicate balance where the geopolitics of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran are...
Soaring costs
13 Mar, 2026

Soaring costs

FOR millions of households already grappling with Ramazan inflation, the sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices...
Perilous lines
13 Mar, 2026

Perilous lines

THE law minister’s veiled warning to the media to “exercise caution” and not cross “red lines” while...