ISLAMABAD – The Federal Investigation Agency, on Monday, booked HussainHaqqani, Pakistan’s former envoy to the USA on charges of misuse of ‘secretfunds, sources told Pakistan Observer.
Hussain Haqqani had served as Pakistan ambassador to the United States from2008 to 2012. Currently, he is working as director, South & Central AsiaWashington based Hudson Institute.
“Following preliminary investigations, we have formally booked him,” asenior official of FIA said.
Last month, Additional Attorney General Waqar Rana informed the SupremeCourt’s three-judge bench that the FIA was considering to file an FIRagainst Haqqani on the basis of different offences including Misuse ofSecret Service Funds.
FIA had sought one week’s time to register a case against in this regards.It registered the case, as committed, but with a few days delay on MondayMarch 12, 2018.
Hussain Haqqani believes, the case was registered against him just to meetInterpol’s criteria for warrants.
“False charges have been filed in Pakistan against me six years after myresignation. These charges have been manufactured after Interpol turneddown an earlier request by FIA, under instructions from Supreme Court, fora red corner notice against me.
Their purpose is just to meet Interpol’s criteria for warrants becauseInterpol does not get involved in political cases,” Hussain Haqqani toldPakistan Observer on Monday exchanging e-mails with this correspondent.
Last month on February 15, the Supreme Court had issued arrest warrants forHaqqani for breaching an earlier undertaking to appear in person before thecourt on a four-day notice. This was in addition to the FIA’s efforts toapproach Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon (France) for the issuance of redwarrants against Hussain Haqqani.
The Interpol, however, turned down FIA’s request of issuance of warrantagainst Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the USA and raised valid questions.Additional Attorney general had informed the court that the warrant ofarrest issued by the court did not fulfil Interpol’s requirements.
One of the conditions for the issuance of red warrants was that thepunishment for the offence should spread over at least two years, whereasthe arrest warrants issued for Haqqani was for committing contempt ofcourt, the maximum penalty for which was six months, the AAG said.
With registration of FIR against Hussain Haqqani on charges of misuse ofsecret funds, chances are bright for FIA to move Interpol against formerAmbassador, says legal expert.However, Hussain Haqqani thinks otherwise.
“I am confident Interpol and others outside Pakistan will see the absolutelack of credibility in this politically motivated exercise aimed atsilencing a critic of the Pakistani state’s wrong policies, including itssupport for jihadi terrorism.
This case will go nowhere not only because it is without basis but alsobecause Pakistan’s politicized judiciary and law enforcement have norespect or influence left outside Pakistan,” Haqqani told Pakistan Observer.
“I intend to carry on my life and let FIA and the hidden hands behind itfigure out how to fulfill their fantasy of forcing my return to Pakistan onfalse charges,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that, regarding the allegation of misuse of‘secret funds’, Husain Haqqani had informed the Memo Commission that SecretService Funds (SSF) were used in the Pakistan Embassy as per rules.
Haqqani had stated that revealing where they were spent would onlycompromise the undercover operations conducted by covert services.