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
Pakistan engages Saudi Arabia, China in bid to ease surging Middle East tensions
- Pakistan’s foreign minister stresses need for de-escalation in conversations with Chinese, Saudi counterparts
- Tensions in the Middle East continue to remain high as conflict between US, Israel and Iran intensifies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and China on Tuesday, stressing the importance of diplomatic engagement to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East as the Iran war intensifies.
Pakistan has constantly engaged regional countries in efforts to broker a ceasefire in the Middle East, after the US and Isreal launched coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.
Iran launched fresh attacks on Gulf countries on Tuesday morning, where it has targeted US military bases in recent weeks. In addition to firing missiles and drones at Israel and American bases in the region, Iran has also been targeting energy infrastructure which, combined with its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, has sent oil prices soaring worldwide.
Dar spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss developments in the Middle East and ongoing deliberations at the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.
“DPM/FM shared Pakistan’s perspective, underscoring the importance of continued coordination and diplomatic engagement to support de-escalation and promote peace and stability across the region and beyond,” the statement said.
Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, spoke to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi over the telephone separately. The two discussed the evolving regional situation and broader global developments.
Dar underscored the need to ease tensions in the Middle East and the wider region during the conversation, the foreign office said.
Yi appreciated Pakistan’s constructive efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and stability in the region, it added.
“The two leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation and emphasized the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” the foreign office’s statement said.
The conflict in the Middle East has hit Pakistan hard as well, forcing Islamabad to hike petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per liter last Friday.
Pakistan’s government has also announced a set of austerity measures, which include closing schools and cutting down on government expenditures, as it evaluates petrol stocks and looks for alternative supply routes.
