Internet war continues between Haqqani, Ijaz over Pak memo row

Islamabad, Nov 21 (ANI): Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani and his accuser, Mansoor Ijaz, have been continuing with their internet war on the memo scandal.

According to The Dawn, Haqqani has been sending updates on his Twitter account since arriving in Islamabad to explain to the country's top civilian and military leaders about his role in the so-called memogate scandal.

Ijaz has not been silent either, with reports saying that he too has been appearing on television shows, sending email messages and talking to journalists, telling them how he was interviewed by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Shuja Pasha two days after he had written his now much-publicised article in the Financial Times.

In that article, which appeared on October 20, Ijaz alleged receiving a message from President Asif Ali Zardari, through Haqqani, seeking US support for reining in the Pakistani military.

In his last Twitter message sent at 6:45 P.M. on Sunday, Haqqani quoted Faiz's couplet, which when translated into English says: "All I did in madness was useful, although it caused great pains to my heart."

In his earlier message, the Ambassador had quoted a verse from a Ghazal by Iftikhar Arif saying: "In our love for this land, we, the defiant, had to pay the debts that we never owed."

"Is it true that Husain Haqqani wrote an article in 2000 asking Lashkar-e-Taiba to attack Bangalore IT Sector?" asked a Twitter follower.

"I only asked what might be the consequences if they did," Haqqani responded.

When one of his admirers wrote: "I hope one day a General has to cry on TV and mention deceased relatives in civilian burial grounds as proof of his patriotism," Haqqani liked this message and forwarded it to those following him on the Twitter. A day before he left Washington, Haqqani broke down during a TV interview and said that his relatives had defended Pakistan and were buried in military graveyards.

One admirer wrote that he did not believe the allegations against Haqqani, and finished his message with a prayer: "May God help you."

"All support and prayers for you - you're our pride!" wrote a third admirer.

Haqqani's responses clearly showed his unhappiness with being called to Islamabad to explain his position.

Meanwhile, Ijaz has confirmed meeting Pasha on October 22 and giving him transcripts of his communications with Mr Haqqani.

"It is time for Pakistan's people to learn the whole truth about the leaders they have chosen," he wrote in a message sent to the media," he wrote.

"Should the formal inquiry ask me to appear and give evidence, I am prepared to travel to Pakistan and in an appropriately secured environment and give the evidence in my possession, allow forensic examination of my records and ensure that the truth which I hold is aired in the fullest manner possible."

"I am prepared to face Amb Haqqani, to debate him, to challenge him on his recollection of the facts and to make absolutely sure that neither he nor his superiors are able to distort a truth that was of their own conception," Ijaz added. (ANI)