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`Memogate`: No threat to Pak govt, says Gilani
Pakistani PM pledged the Memogate scandal would be investigated as a top priority.
Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said there was no threat to his government due to the "Memogate" scandal even as he pledged that the matter would be investigated as a top priority to uncover the truth behind the secret memo sent to the US administration.
Gilani contended that Pakistan`s civilian and military leadership were on the same page on all issues and gave an assurance that the matter of the memo would be investigated to the satisfaction of the country, the Parliament and the opposition.
He made the remarks while responding to issues raised by the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament last evening.
He said there was no threat to his government, which was answerable only to the people and not "anybody else".
Gilani said the issue of the memo would be investigated at a top level as he had ordered the setting up of a committee for the purpose. Besides, he said, the opposition had taken the issue to the Supreme Court.
A transparent investigation of the issue was necessary to satisfy the nation and the opposition, he added. Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz has claimed that he drafted and delivered the memo to the US military on the instructions of Pakistan’s former envoy to the US, Husain Haqqani.
The revelation triggered a storm in Pakistan’s political circles and Haqqani was forced to resign this week to facilitate an investigation into the matter.
Gilani said that Haqqani’s resignation was obtained to pave the way for an impartial inquiry as the government considered national security as supreme.
Haqqani was summoned to the Prime Minister’s House to give an explanation on the issue.
Haqqani, he said, was told that the issue of the memo had assumed serious proportions and national security required it to be investigated impartially.
"I directed him to tender his resignation as the issue demanded an impartial inquiry with no influence from any circle," he said. At the same time, Gilani said every ambassador and the government had sufficient contacts and needed no help of a "third person" to convey a message to another country.
According to the memo made public by Ijaz, the Pakistan government purportedly wanted US help to prevent a possible military takeover after the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden on May 02.
The memo committed the government to a national security revamp and action against intelligence officials with links to militants.
PTI
Gilani contended that Pakistan`s civilian and military leadership were on the same page on all issues and gave an assurance that the matter of the memo would be investigated to the satisfaction of the country, the Parliament and the opposition.
He made the remarks while responding to issues raised by the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament last evening.
He said there was no threat to his government, which was answerable only to the people and not "anybody else".
Gilani said the issue of the memo would be investigated at a top level as he had ordered the setting up of a committee for the purpose. Besides, he said, the opposition had taken the issue to the Supreme Court.
A transparent investigation of the issue was necessary to satisfy the nation and the opposition, he added. Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz has claimed that he drafted and delivered the memo to the US military on the instructions of Pakistan’s former envoy to the US, Husain Haqqani.
The revelation triggered a storm in Pakistan’s political circles and Haqqani was forced to resign this week to facilitate an investigation into the matter.
Gilani said that Haqqani’s resignation was obtained to pave the way for an impartial inquiry as the government considered national security as supreme.
Haqqani was summoned to the Prime Minister’s House to give an explanation on the issue.
Haqqani, he said, was told that the issue of the memo had assumed serious proportions and national security required it to be investigated impartially.
"I directed him to tender his resignation as the issue demanded an impartial inquiry with no influence from any circle," he said. At the same time, Gilani said every ambassador and the government had sufficient contacts and needed no help of a "third person" to convey a message to another country.
According to the memo made public by Ijaz, the Pakistan government purportedly wanted US help to prevent a possible military takeover after the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden on May 02.
The memo committed the government to a national security revamp and action against intelligence officials with links to militants.
PTI