Haqqani says Interpol reachout a media stunt

WASHINGTON: Pakistan's former ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani has termed the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) supposed letter to Interpol to issue red warrants against him a media stunt.

Responding to reports that the FIA has contacted Interpol to issue red warrants for the former ambassador for not appearing before the court in the Memogate case, Haqqani defended his position saying that "such letters are regularly written by Pakistani authorities to generate news in the Pakistani media and have no standing in international law.”

"I have not been charged with any crime," Haqqani stated adding that he had been the target of political persecution because of views he had expressed in his books and other writings. He said that he did not expect any action by Interpol or any other international institution.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued arrest warrants for Haqqani two weeks ago, directing him to appear in the Memogate case.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan has no extradition agreement with the US. "Even if an extradition treaty existed, Mr Haqqani would have to be charged with a crime in a trial court for it to be applicable," law experts observed adding, "refusing to return for hearing of a Supreme Court petition might be offensive but is not deemed to be a crime under international law."

The experts also believe that the Pakistani government would have to request the US government for assistance in returning Haqqani to Pakistan but that request would have to be accompanied with substantive charges and evidence. Just a refusal to return in response to a SC notice of attendance would not form sufficient basis for making such a request to the US government.

Haqqani said that the FIA's contact with Interpol would go nowhere. "Just as Interpol refused to comply with Pakistani requests relating to Altaf Husain, Brahamdagh Bugti, and General Pervez Musharraf, I expect this latest request to be turned down as well," he said.