The sixth meeting of the Judicial Commission investigating the Memogate controversy on Friday decided to record Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz's statement through a video-link at the Pakistani High Commission in London on February 22. The Commission headed by Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Qazi Faiz Essa also comprises Chief Justice of Sindh High Court Musheer Alam and Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court Iqbal Hameed-ur-Rehman.
The Memogate Commission decided to record the statement of Ejaz through a video-link on February 22 at 2:00pm at the Pakistani High Commission in London and issued orders to Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make necessary arrangements for the implementation of the court order.
Chief Jus-tice Essa said the statement of Ijaz would be recorded through a video link under Article 164 of the law of testimony. He said that if Ijaz's statement was recorded through a video link it would resolve the issue of security, travel expenses and prestige of the commission.
Chief Justice Essa also said that secretary of the memo Commission Jawad Abbas would go to London two days before Ijaz's statement was recorded. He would be required to examine all the necessary arrangements as well as collect all documentary and physical evidence provided by Ijaz. He said that copies of all documents received by the secretary Memogate Commission would be provided to all parties, "and Ijaz may be cross-examined, if required."
During the proceedings, Zahid Bokhari, the counsel for Hussain Haqqani, said he personally did not agree with the proposal of recording statement of Ijaz through a video-link as it would create problems; but, he added, he would consult with his client. Chief Justice Essa said that if any problems arose the Commission would definitely look into them, and added that there was no need to consult Haqqani.
Akram Sheikh, the counsel for Ijaz, told the Commission after the court order that Ijaz would be present at the Pakistani High Commission in London on February 22 to record his statement. Attorney General for Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq argued that verification and examination of the evidence through video would be a difficult task. Bukhari argued that his client should also be allowed to record his statements through a video-link if Ijaz was permitted to record his testimony through a cyber link. Earlier, petitioner Barrister Zafarullah alleged that Ijaz was an absconder in the US. Bukhari also claimed that Ijaz was an absconder of an American court.
The Judicial Commission dismissed the application submitted by Bukhari to dismiss the right of evidence of Ijaz. Similarly, the Commission also dismissed the application filed by Akram Sheikh, praying for constitution of a Commission to record statement of Ijaz in London. During the break, petitioners in the Memogate scandal Barrister Zafarullah and Akram Sheikh exchanged harsh words on the issue of recording Ijaz's statement abroad. The Commission adjourned the meeting till February 22.