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ISLAMABAD: After receiving a 'nod of approval' from the US State Department, Pakistani-American business tycoon Mansoor Ijaz, who rocked the top echelons of the government by exposing the so called 'memogate' scandal, is likely to visit Pakistan next week for his testimony before a commission appointed by the Supreme Court to investigate the matter.
Ijaz, the most important witness in the case pertaining to allegations that Pakistan's ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani sent a memorandum to US authorities seeking help to pre-empt a military coup in the country, has finally obtained a Pakistan visa.
According to Pakistan High Commission in the United Kingdom, he has been given one-year multiple entry visa.
The investigation commission has summoned him on Tuesday (Jan 24).
Ijaz has claimed that he had a conference call with the State Department officials a few days ago in which he was assured of complete support as an American citizen during his stay in Pakistan.
Even as Ijaz appears to be raring to testify before the judicial commission and 'uncover the truth', he is reluctant to make a similar appearance before the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), which too is seized with the matter.
The PCNS has asked him to appear on Jan 26.
Officials at the High Commission in London served the PCNS notice on him.
But, Ijaz, in his media comments, questioned the authority of the committee to interrogate him. His lawyers are reviewing the notice and Ijaz has hinted at taking up the PCNS summons with the Supreme Court.
Alongside the two parallel investigations, there have been rumours that Ijaz could be arrested and tried for his role in toppling the Benazir government and running a vilification campaign against security institutions.
Earlier in the week, an Islamabad court quashed a petition for registration of criminal charges against Ijaz, but Interior Minister Rahman Malik wants the suspense to continue.
While he reiterated his commitment to provide full security to him during his stay in Pakistan, the minister told reporters that he could not guarantee Ijaz wouldn't be arrested.
Ijaz distrusts government arrangements for his security.
He said in an interview: 'Part of the problem is that you have government officials that are threatening me on a daily basis. I find that a little bit strange, that from one corner of their mouth they are saying that I'm secure and at the same time they are threatening me too.'
