Lahore: Controversial Pakistani-American
Mansoor Ijaz, who has been summoned by a judicial panel
probing the memo scam, will be provided security, but billions
of rupees could not be spent on it, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said today.
"Under the constitution, providing security to Ijaz is
the duty of the Interior Ministry as and when required the
Rangers and Army can also be summoned," Gilani said.
However, he was quoted as saying by Geo TV that it seemed
like a viceroy was coming to Pakistan not Mansoor Ijaz and
billions could not be spent on his security.
Ijaz has sparked a row in Pakistan by making public an
alleged memo that sought US help to stave off a feared
military coup in Pakistan last year.
Gilani said the whole controversy had sent a negative
image about Pakistan internationally.
He said the American businessman has "no credibility" and
one should not worry too much about his claims.
A Supreme-Court appointed commission is probing
the memo scandal. The panel has summoned him to appear before
it on January 24.
Ijaz, who was issued a visa by the Pakistani mission in
London on Thursday, has declined to say when he would travel
to Islamabad to testify before the panel.
He has alleged that the Pakistan government was trying to
prevent him from testifying in Islamabad and blamed Interior
Minister Rehman Malik of launching a smear campaign against
him.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, January 22, 2012, 23:49