Washington : The air is rife with tension in Pakistan after surfacing of a secret memo, allegedly sent by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to the US warning of and seeking assistance against a possible military takeover after Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan, in May this year.
The memo was purportedly written by Pakistan's envoy to the US, Husain Haqqani, on behalf of President Zardari. Mr Haqqani has been summoned to Islamabad to explain the issue to the country's leadership.
His primary defence is that the note is unsigned and unverified.
For India, the memo stands out for a sub-point saying Pakistan's government - under a new national security team - is prepared to fully cooperate with the Indian government on 26/11 investigations and bringing to justice all perpetrators within or outside the government, including intelligence agencies. "This includes handing over those against whom sufficient evidence exists of guilt to the Indian security services."
As the controversy rages in Islamabad, Information minister Firdaus Awan said that Mr Haqqani's meetings in Islamabad are routine in nature and there is no substance in rumours over differences between civil and military leaderships.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Mr Ijaz today said that the Pakistan ambassador reached out to him saying he is a "plausibly deniable channel" for them. (Watch: Haqqani reached out to me, lying about memo now, Mansoor Ijaz tells NDTV)
Mr Mullen's office has been quoted as saying they received a memo, but didn't give it too much credence at the time.
"I understand this is a big story in Pakistan. It's partly a domestic story. We all treat it as such. We remain in contact with Ambassador Haqqani," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
Equally curious are questions over why Husain Haqqani, who is seen by many as Zardari and Washington's darling, would need a businessman to mediate with America's leadership.
Pakistan's ruling PPP had decided yesterday that Mr Haqqani would be given a "fair opportunity" to explain his position with regard to the controversy over the secret memorandum.
Separately, Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani denied Zardari's involvement in the matter and also said his government was committed to protecting military institutions like the ISI.
He said Mr Haqqani had been called to Islamabad to provide an explanation on the memorandum.
But as Washington and Islamabad's relations sink further and divisions within Pakistan grow deeper perhaps the biggest question is: What this unfolding drama will mean for Pakistan's internal political situation?
(With PTI inputs)
The memo was purportedly written by Pakistan's envoy to the US, Husain Haqqani, on behalf of President Zardari. Mr Haqqani has been summoned to Islamabad to explain the issue to the country's leadership.
His primary defence is that the note is unsigned and unverified.
For India, the memo stands out for a sub-point saying Pakistan's government - under a new national security team - is prepared to fully cooperate with the Indian government on 26/11 investigations and bringing to justice all perpetrators within or outside the government, including intelligence agencies. "This includes handing over those against whom sufficient evidence exists of guilt to the Indian security services."
Advertisement
As the controversy rages in Islamabad, Information minister Firdaus Awan said that Mr Haqqani's meetings in Islamabad are routine in nature and there is no substance in rumours over differences between civil and military leaderships.
Advertisement
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Mr Ijaz today said that the Pakistan ambassador reached out to him saying he is a "plausibly deniable channel" for them. (Watch: Haqqani reached out to me, lying about memo now, Mansoor Ijaz tells NDTV)
Advertisement
Mr Mullen's office has been quoted as saying they received a memo, but didn't give it too much credence at the time.
Advertisement
"I understand this is a big story in Pakistan. It's partly a domestic story. We all treat it as such. We remain in contact with Ambassador Haqqani," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
Advertisement
Equally curious are questions over why Husain Haqqani, who is seen by many as Zardari and Washington's darling, would need a businessman to mediate with America's leadership.
Pakistan's ruling PPP had decided yesterday that Mr Haqqani would be given a "fair opportunity" to explain his position with regard to the controversy over the secret memorandum.
Separately, Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani denied Zardari's involvement in the matter and also said his government was committed to protecting military institutions like the ISI.
He said Mr Haqqani had been called to Islamabad to provide an explanation on the memorandum.
But as Washington and Islamabad's relations sink further and divisions within Pakistan grow deeper perhaps the biggest question is: What this unfolding drama will mean for Pakistan's internal political situation?
(With PTI inputs)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Took Advantage Of His Addiction": 5 Charged Over Matthew Perry's Death This US City Has Been Declared America's Least Desirable, Survey Finds Ukraine, Russia Both Claim Advances In Kursk Region Gaza Ceasefire Talks Underway In Qatar As Deaths Top 40,000 Trump To Hold Press Conference, His Campaign Adds Senior Advisers Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.