Memogate case: FIA approaches Interpol for Haqqani's extradition

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was informed on Thursday that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has contacted the Interpol to repatriate former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, Hussain Haqqani, alleged in Memogate scandal.

FIA also submitted a special charge sheet against the ex-diplomat in the apex court, the court assistant said. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) transferred the authority for Haqqani’s arrest to the FIA with necessary powers.

The Amicus curiae (friend of the court) informed the court that under the given authority, the FIA has approached the international police organization for Haqqani’s extradition who has fled abroad.

In the last hearing, the bench had ordered FIA to release itself from the task of bringing Hussain Haqqani back while handing over the task to the anti-graft watchdog.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar remarked “I want to wrap up this case before the completion of my term as a Chief Justice of Pakistan.”

Memogate Scandal

In 2012, a judicial body had investigated the Memogate scandal and submitted its report to the apex court, holding Haqqani guilty of authoring an explosive memo and termed his acts as disloyalty to the country.

Haqqani is alleged to have written a memo to Adm. Mike Mullen, the top US military officer at the time, offering greater government cooperation in return for helping to avert possible dismissal of the civilian government in the wake of the May 2 raid in year 2012, which led to the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden.