Husain Haqqani rubbishes reports of case registered against him

Former Pakistan envoy to the United States (US) Husain Haqqani has rubbished the registration of case against him by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and has branded it as "politically motivated exercise."

"False charges have been filed in Pakistan against me six years after my resignation. These charges have been manufactured after Interpol turned down an earlier request by FIA, under instructions from Supreme Court, for a red corner notice against me for refusing to return to a country where I feel my life is under threat," Haqqani said, in a statement.

"Their purpose is just to meet Interpol's criteria for warrants because Interpol does not get involved in political cases," he added.

Haqqani underscored that he was confident that Interpol and others outside Pakistan will see the absolute lack of credibility in this "politically motivated exercise aimed at silencing a critic of the Pakistani state's wrong policies, including its support for jihadi terrorism."

Pakistan's FIA has reportedly registered a case against the former envoy to the US.

The case was registered in the Anti-corruption circle by the FIA in connection with the Memogate scandal, Geo News reported, citing sources as saying.

On February 15, Pakistan's apex court issued an arrest warrant against Haqqani and directed him to appear in the Memogate case.

However, Haqqani failed to comply with the court orders.

The FIA had asked Interpol to issue a red warrant for Haqqani, Additional Attorney General Rana Waqar told the top court but Interpol asked what, if any, criminal case had been filed against Haqqani.

In late February, Pakistan's Supreme Court was informed that Interpol had not issued any warrant against the former ambassador to the US in response to a request by the Pakistan government and had raised certain queries instead.

This case will go nowhere not only because it is without basis but also because Pakistan's politicized judiciary and law enforcement have no respect or influence left outside Pakistan.

"I intend to carry on my life and let FIA and the hidden hands behind it figure out how to fulfill their fantasy of forcing my return to Pakistan on false charges," the statement added.