The counsel for Mansoor Ijaz, a key character in the Memogate controversy, on Saturday linked his client's presence before the Judicial Commission to his security arranged solely by the Pakistan Army.
Akram Sheikh, counsel for Mansoor Ijaz, called immediate attention of government by addressing its top legal officer through a letter (a copy of which was made available to Business Recorder), asking him (AGP) to observe the Commission's directions pertaining to his client's security by none else than Army.
Sheikh stated that he had already placed before the Commission the threats issued by Interior Minister, which had hindered his client to appear before the Commission on the last date of hearing. According to him, the government has undertaken to communicate to him the cell phone number of Battalion Commander making security arrangements for Mansoor Ijaz and the equipment/evidence he would be bringing with him.
He further said a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Security and Counter Terrorism Dr Mujibur Rahman Khan had conveyed to him that he being the focal person might be contacted for Ijaz's security, adding that as pledged the DIG failed to inform him about the aforesaid details in writing despite the passage of reasonable time. Sheikh said it needed to be mentioned that the federal Interior Minister had been issuing statements which were aimed at specifically ensuring that his client was discouraged from appearing before the Commission for cross-examination.
According to him, the very people from whom my client fears for his life and liberty are now trying to be solely responsible for his 'foolproof' security'. Addressing the Attorney General for Pakistan, Sheikh asserted, "I need your assurance today (Saturday) so that I can confirm to my client the exact arrangements that are in place on the ground. It is after my confirmation that my client will finalise his travel schedule to ensure that he is before the Commission on January 24.
"Unless assurance is not given that federal ministry of interior is not involved in security of my client directly or indirectly in compliance with the Commission directives, I will not be in a position to advise Ijaz to travel to Pakistan and appear before the Commission," Sheikh added.
Sheikh categorically made it clear that the responsibility for his client's failure to appear before the commission would lie with the government which may prompt him to request the Commission to record Ijaz's statement outside Pakistan, "something that is neither barred by law nor by orders of Supreme Court." He also mentioned that he was sending a copy of the same letter to Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) as a direct request for the security arrangements of his client.