Ijaz won't come to Pak to avoid 'knowingly falling into govt. trap': Lawyer

Islamabad, Jan 23 (ANI): Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz, the key person in the Memo Gate scandal, will not come to Pakistan, as he wishes to avoid 'knowingly falling into the government trap', his lawyer has said.

The Express Tribune quoted Akram Sheikh as saying that he had held a teleconference with Ijaz after meeting Inspector General (IG) of Police (IG) Islamabad Bin Yamin Khan, who briefed him about the security arrangements that have been made for his client.

"No assurance has been given with regards to his [Ijaz's] life or property. It seems like a well-orchestrated trap to hold Ijaz indefinitely in Pakistan... He refuses to knowingly fall into the government's trap," he added.

Talking about Interior Minister Rehman Malik's assurances of arranging the army for Ijaz's security, Sheikh said: "I don't trust Rehman Malik. I trust Husain Haqqani more than I trust Rehman Malik... Did Benazir Bhutto not die in this country even after getting security assurances?"

He further said that Ijaz was concerned about Pakistan's money not being wasted, and thus, does not want security to waste its money on him.

"So, he wants to record his statement while sitting in his office in London. He is ready to tell the truth and present all grafts to the commission," he added.

Earlier during the day, Sheikh said he had written another letter to the attorney general seeking details of the security being provided to Ijaz during his visit to Pakistan.

The judicial commission probing the Memo Gate scandal has ordered Ijaz to appear before the court personally to record his statements. (ANI)