» 01/18/2012 15:15 PAKISTAN Key witness in ‘memogate’ to appear before judges by Jibran Khan Mansoor Ijaz will arrive in his country of origin for the 24 January hearing after he was granted a visa by the Pakistani embassy in Switzerland. Victim of death threats, he is at the centre of a legal-political affair that pits civilian authorities against military power in a case that began with the US raid in which Bin Laden was killed. The matter has raised fears of a possible military coup.
Islamabad (AsiaNews) – The Pakistani embassy in Bern, Switzerland, granted a visa to US businessman Mansoor Ijaz for travel to his country of origin, where he is set to appear before a judicial commission on 24 January. He is a key witness in what has come to be known as the ‘memogate’, an affair that began with Bin Laden’s killing and resulted in a split between the government and the military, Pakistan’s main centre of power. Meanwhile, contempt of court charges against Prime Minister Gilani have been dropped. However, the latter must ask for Swiss cooperation in a corruption case involving President Zardari.
Pakistan’s government and military are divided over a scandal that broke last October. Not long after the US raid in which Osama Bin Laden was killed, Mansoor Ijaz (pictured) allegedly gave the US military a memo asking for US help against a possible military coup.
The founder of al Qaeda had been living for some years in a residential compound in Abbottabad, not far from a Pakistani military academy. Allegations that the Pakistani military might have protected Bin Laden led to civilian-military tensions in a country with a history of military coups. The fear of a possible coup apparently led to an appeal to the United States, who bankrolls Pakistan’s anti-terrorism fight.
Allegedly, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States wrote the memo on behalf of President Zardari. Although no evidence has yet to be produced, the Pakistan’s military saw the memo as proof that the government was willing to sell out the nation’s sovereignty to stay in power.
Mansoor Ijaz was initially summoned to appear before the court on 16 January. This was later postponed to 24 January to allow him to get the right papers to travel to Pakistan.
Since the scandal began, he has been the object of so many death threats that he has lost count of them. His family is concerned about his trip to Pakistan.
A key witness in the case, he said the army has shown patience over the government's arrogant attitude.
For analysts and experts in Pakistani politics, the next few weeks will be crucial for the country’s fate, which is so closely linked to the power struggle now underway between government, military and courts.
Tomorrow, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court. He had been initially charged with contempt of court for not implementing a court order against an amnesty that had helped President Asif Ali Zardari in an alleged corruption case.
The prime minister however wants to avoid a clash with the justices and appears willing to reopen the case in question. As part of this, Pakistan will seek Swiss cooperation.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the President’s Office has shown calm and confidence. Even if the case should be reopened, Zardari is still protected by presidential immunity.
