Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Wednesday urged the US to take action against Mansoor Ijaz, a Pakistan born American businessman for violating US laws and levelling allegations against the country's civil and military leadership. Malik made the call during a meeting with US Ambassador Cameron Munter who called on him at his residence.
According to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry, the US Ambassador to Pakistan called on Interior Minister and discussed with him issues of mutual interest. Sources, however said that the issue of Mansoor Ijaz also came under discussion besides matters pertaining to war on terror and developments following Nato attack on Pakistani border posts in Mohamand Agency.
Ijaz, who is center of media attraction these days, had claimed to have delivered a 'memo' allegedly conveyed by former Pakistan Ambassador to Washington Husain Haqqani to the then US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen to help the country's civilian government against the army take-over following May 02 Abbottabad incident.
In his recent interview to American media, Ijaz also alleged that President Zardari and Haqqani were aware of the US unilateral action in Abbottabad in which al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed. The White House has, however, rejected the allegation.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters outside parliament house, Malik said that his meeting with the US Ambassador was routine in which bilateral matters came under discussion. He said Pakistan has offered more sacrifices in the war on terror, adding that over 36,000 Pakistanis have lost their lives in the war. "We offered these sacrifices for the sake of Pakistan and for the world peace", he said and also asked the world to recognise Pakistan's sacrifices and losses in the war.
The interior minister expressed the hope that Shamsi airbase would be vacated before the deadline given by defence committee of the cabinet. To a question regarding US drone attacks in tribal areas, he said, "we all should express our voice against it and the US should hear our concerns".