ISLAMABAD - Resuming the hearing of Memogate scandal on Tuesday, the Supreme Court again directed the authorities concerned to make foolproof security arrangements for former Pakistan ambassador to US, Husain Haqqani, on his arrival and stay in, and departure from, Pakistan.
Heading an eight-judge special bench, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed annoyance over non-appearance of the interior secretary before the court in the case.
The court also asked Asma Jahangir, counsel for Haqqani, to hold meetings with the federal interior secretary and the Islamabad inspector general of police over modalities of security arrangements for her client during his arrival and stay in Pakistan and departure from the country after appearing before the apex court.
The interior secretary had assured the court that the government would provide security to Haqqani keeping in view nature of threats to him after Asma Jahangir had questioned whether the interior secretary could save her client from Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence.
Asma Jahangir told the bench that upon her contact with the interior secretary in pursuance of the court orders, the bureaucrat asked for the schedule of her client, which irked the bench. Chief Justice Chaudhry said it was discretion of the court to know about Haqqani’s schedule and summoned the interior secretary. The interior secretary failed to appear before the court during hearing of the case, so the bench repeated its earlier order, saying foolproof security arrangements for Haqqani should be made by the quarters concerned.
After consulting Asma Jahangir, the bench adjourned hearing of the case till March 11.