I'm Pakistani by birth, no one can take that away: Hussain Haqqani

Pakistan's former ambassador to United States Hussain Haqqani, who is critical of Pakistan, on Tuesday said that he is a Pakistani by birth and that that he would use international law if anyone tries to take away his rights.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, Haqqani said, "My nationality from birth is Pakistani. No one can take that away and if they try to take it away, I will definitely use international law to defend my rights."

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 former envoy to the US dwelled upon his innocence and reiterated that he is not a criminal and that the real criminals, designated as terrorists by the international community roam freely.

"I think an attempt to silence any voice of dissent by means, fare or foul, is not going to get Pakistan anywhere and everywhere around the world knows that I am a man of strong opinions I have written books. I have expressed my opinions in public speeches and writings. Everybody knows that I am not a criminal," Haqqani said.

"Everybody also knows that the real criminals whether they are underworld figures from Mumbai [referring to Dawood Ibrahim] or whether they are the Jihadi terrorists whom the international communities considered as terrorists, roam around freely, under such circumstances, warrants issued by Pakistan against a person like me or cases registered or propaganda against me is not going to cut much ice," he added.

Exhibiting immense faith in the International law and International community, Haqqani noted with conviction that they will stand by him.

"I am quite certain that the International law is on my side and the international community will stand by me even if the authorities in Pakistan will try to deprive me or my liberty or my liberty to travel around the world," the former Pakistani Ambassador noted.

Haqqani, is currently a Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute and has authored several books including Magnificent Delusions, Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military and India vs Pakistan: Why Can't We Just be Friends?.