News
Saturday, February 11, 2012
JC allows Ijaz to testify abroad* Pakistani-American businessman to testify on 22nd
By Ali Hassan
ISLAMABAD: The judicial commission investigating the memo scandal on Friday decided to record the statement of Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz through videoconferencing at the Pakistani High Commission in London on February 22.
The sixth meeting of the commission was held at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to take up the issue of recording the statement of Mansoor Ijaz. The commission headed by Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Essa ruled that Mansoor Ijaz’s testimony would be recorded in London. The commission also decided that its secretary, Rana Jawad Abbas, would travel to London to record the statement and collect all the relevant evidence provided by Ijaz. Copies of all the documents received would be provided to all the parties concerned, and Ijaz might even be cross-examined, if required.
Moreover, the commission disposed of Ijaz’s petition regarding appointment of a suitable local commissioner to record his testimony. However, Husain Haqqani’s petition regarding closure of Ijaz’s right to record a statement was deferred by the commission, saying the apex court had ordered to record Ijaz’s statement, without which investigation of the memo scandal could not move forward.
The commission also directed Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Maulvi Anwarul Haq and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make necessary arrangements for the videoconference and a quick visa process for the secretary of the commission. The commission also directed the Pakistani High Commission in London to make proper security arrangement for Ijaz.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk