ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani can be repatriated to Pakistan on criminal charges including breach of trust, misappropriation, cheating and embezzlement, the Chief Justice of Pakistan was told during a suo moto hearing of the Memogate case on Thursday.
The CJP, Justice Saqib Niar, had directed the Pakistan government in March to present Haqqani before the court within one month. The court then appointed, as amicus curiae, Ahmer Bilal Sufi, an expert on foreign litigation, to assist in Haqqani’s repatriation.
The three-member bench comprising Justice Nisar, Justice Umer Ata Bandyal, and Justice Ijazul Ahsen resumed hearing the case on Thursday.
During the hearing, Sufi submitted a complete report along with guidelines for mutual legal assistance.
Pakistan could proceed with the case on a reciprocity basis as Pakistan had earlier cooperated with the US in handing over suspects, said Sufi.
Haqqani faces criminal charges for breach of trust and failing to account for the funds handed over to him by the Pakistan government in his capacity as the then ambassador to the US.
A formal FIR bearing No (7/2018) dated 10.3.2018 has been registered against Haqqani under sections 3, 4, 409, 109 PPC r/w 5(2) 47 PCA, submitted Sufi.
“This relates to the charge of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, cheating and embezzlement and the offenses under which the said FIR has also been lodged overlaps with the offense of corruption and corrupt practices under section 9(a)(xi) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance, 1999,” Sufi said.
Sufi contended that the offense was extraditable under Article 17 of the UN Convention against Corruption, 2003 read with Article 44 of the said Convention, which acts as a multilateral extradition treaty between Pakistan and the US.
The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) earlier turned down the FIA’s request to issue a warrant for Haqqani.
Sufi further informed the court that alternate mechanisms, in the form of a formal letter seeking US cooperation, could be sent to the US Government. The amicus curiae also prepared a draft of guidelines the court could consider approving for the FIA to facilitate transnational investigations.
He explained that this would also require the FIA to maintain a database of all legal documents, arrangements executed with other states, bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding.
The apex court instructed the attorney general and NAB to give their comments on the draft legislation prepared by Sufi.
Husain Haqqani can be repatriated, SC told
Husain Haqqani can be repatriated, SC told
- Pakistan’s former envoy to the US faces criminal charges for breach of trust and failing to account for funds handed over to him by Pakistan government during his diplomatic appointment
- Interpol earlier turned down Pakistan’s request to issue arrest warrant for Haqqani
Privatization Commission backs military-linked firm’s inclusion in PIA buyer consortium
- Fauji Fertilizer nominated to join Arif Habib-led group bidding for national airline
- Move marks further step in IMF-backed state enterprise reforms
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Privatization Commission on Tuesday recommended the inclusion of a military-linked fertilizer company in the consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited, the successful bidder for a majority stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as the government advances long-delayed reforms of state-owned enterprises.
The development is part of Pakistan’s broader privatization push under its $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility approved in September 2024, which requires restructuring and divestment of loss-making state-owned enterprises. PIA has accumulated significant losses over the years and remains a financial burden on the national exchequer.
In December, a consortium headed by the Arif Habib Corporation emerged as the top bidder for a 75 percent stake in Pakistan International Airlines in a breakthrough for the government’s long-delayed privatization of the carrier. The consortium entered a 135 billion Pakistani rupee ($482.32 million) bid, topping the offer of a rival group led by Lucky Cement in an intense back and forth that was broadcast live on television.
The Privatization Commission on Tuesday endorsed the nomination of Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited (FFC) to join the consortium led by Arif Habib.
“The PC Board, after due review, endorsed the nomination and confirmed that FFC fulfils the applicable eligibility and regulatory requirements,” the Ministry of Privatization said in a statement.
The proposed inclusion remains subject to approval by the Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCoP) and the federal cabinet.
FFC is one of Pakistan’s largest listed fertilizer manufacturers and is majority-owned by the Fauji Foundation, a military welfare organization that operates commercial enterprises to fund services for retired armed forces personnel and their families. Its inclusion strengthens the financial profile of the bidding consortium.
The sale of a majority stake in PIA would mark the first major privatization in Pakistan in nearly two decades.
But the process has been shaky. A similar televised event in 2024 attracted a solitary bid from real estate developer Blue World City of $36 million, well short of the government’s declared minimum price of $305 million for a 60 percent stake.
As part of its efforts to revive the flag carrier airline, Pakistan’s government has assumed most of its legacy debt.
PIA has now posted its first pre-tax profit in two decades, and Britain and the European Union have lifted a five-year ban that had shut it out of key routes, supporting a higher valuation.
