ISLAMABAD: During Tuesday’s hearing of the memo case, the Supreme Court directed Asma Jahangir, the counsel for Hussain Haqqani, to file a request with Secretary Interior K M Siddiq Akbar for obtaining security for her client, DawnNews reported.

A nine-judge larger bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has been hearing into the controversy revolving around the memo scandal after the judicial commission constituted by the Supreme Court had held that Haqqani was the originator and architect of the memorandum sent to former US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen seeking US intervention to avert a possible overthrow of the civilian government by the military.

During the hearing, the bench told Jahangir that Haqqani should explain what kind of fears he had with respect to returning to Pakistan.

Jahangir told the bench that the country's security situation was at its worst and added that the court had itself expressed concern over the law and order situation in Karachi.

The counsel further said that Haqqani had asked why it was essential for him to come to Pakistan.

The chief justice said if Haqqani failed to return, an arrest warrant would be issued against him.

Jahangir said in the past, Haqqani was considered important enough to be allowed to stay in the prime minister's house, adding that, now he would have to file a request with the interior ministry for his security.

Moreover, during the hearing, the interior secretary told the bench that Haqqani would be provided security in light of the dangers he faced.

Subsequently, the court adjourned the case’s hearing sine die.