Haqqani to travel to the US: sources

Agencies | DawnNews

Yesterday

Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani is expected to fly out of the country in the early hours of Tuesday after restrictions on his travel were eased by the Supreme Court, sources told DawnNews.

According to sources, Haqqani will be leaving for Doha on a private jet around 4 am Tuesday morning, from where he will later travel to the US. Haqqani is also scheduled to meet with top officials in the US.

Sources also told DawnNews that the former ambassador met with the Deputy Chief of the US Mission in Islamabad Jonathan Pratt at the Prime Minister’s House where the memo case and other issues were discussed.

Earlier during the day, Haqqani’s counsel Asma Jehangir had requested the apex court to ease travel restrictions placed on her client, who, she argued, had family abroad.

Subsequently, the court permitted Haqqani to travel.

“He is allowed to proceed out of country,” Chief Justice Iftikhar said in his order, after Jehangir guaranteed her client would appear before judges at four days’ notice if required.

The court moreover directed that in case of travelling abroad, Haqqani would have to inform the court’s registrar office.

“I am glad that the Supreme Court has restored my right to travel, which had been rescinded without any charges being filed against me. I will join my family in the US after discussions with the leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party,” Haqqani had told an AFP reporter.

                Hussain Haqqani flying out in a private jet

Dawn in its issue of Tuesday 31^st January, 2012, reports that Hussain Haqqani our former ambassador in USA is flying out today early morning at 4 to Doha. Isn’t it very striking to read as to how a person of his status and resources could fly in a private jet? Who does not know what had been his childhood days and how does his background justify him to fly on a private jet? Can he himself own it is next to impossible? Honestly speaking, if not annoying, he may not be in a position to keep even a Cessna helicopter because it is not only expensive but also needs maintenance crew and a pilot to fly and I can bet on my life that our ambassadors are never ever trained to fly any helicopter what talk of a jet. Who could be the owner of the jet who gave his private jet to fly is also a burning question? What benefit will the jet owner receive from him to be so extra courteous? Ordinarily the principle of give and take is at work in most of the dealings so from that point of view this jet travel needs to be sorted out accordingly.

Supreme Court of Pakistan must look into it and ask former diplomat to forthwith furnish all the details about the jet ownership and the cost being incurred to fly all the way from Pakistan to USA. Did he directly or indirectly try to impress and influence SC which is probing the case of memo gate where the former ambassador is one of the principal characters? None but SC can only sort out the riddle and let the nation know who is behind him and why.

                *****************************************************************************

With my honest and solemn prayers