Efforts geared up to bring back Husain Haqqani as FIA approaches Interpol

ISLAMABAD - The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has approached Interpol seeking a red notice for the arrest of former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani.

The agency on Saturday confirmed that all formalities required by Interpol in this regard have been fulfilled. The efforts have been expedited following the orders of the apex court to bring back Haqqani.

In March, the FIA filed a case against Haqqani for alleged misuse of authority and misappropriation of funds and criminal breach of trust during his tenure from 2008 to 2012.

Memogate: Top court orders govt to bring back Husain Haqqani in 30 days

Haqqani, who is also a prime suspect in the Memogate scandal, had been booked under Section 3,4, 409, 420, and 109 of Pakistan Penal Code following a probe conducted by the anti-corruption establishment.

Memogate Case

The Memogate scandal surfaced in 2011 when Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz revealed that he had received a letter against Pakistan Army from Haqqani for the then-US joint chiefs chairman Admiral Mike Mullen.

Following Ijaz's claims, a judicial commission was set up to probe the memo, which mentioned a possible military take over in Pakistan following the killing of Osama bin Laden in a US raid in Abbottabad.

In the memo, assistance was sought from the US to save the then government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) giving an impression that PPP government is Pro-US.

Later, the judicial commission found that the memo was written by the former ambassador and was authentic.

The matter was taken to the Supreme Court by then opposition leader Nawaz Sharif after which Haqqani had resigned as an envoy.