Haqqani finally jets out of Pak after SC lifts travel ban over memo issue

Islamabad, Jan 31 (ANI): Former Pakistan Ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani has finally taken off for Abu Dhabi, after the Supreme Court lifted the travel ban imposed on him over the Memo Gate scandal.

After arriving at the Abu Dhabi airport, Haqqani avoided speaking to journalists there, The News reports.

Reports suggest that after staying in Abu Dhabi for a while, he will leave for Washington.

Meanwhile, the United States has expressed its 'gratification' at the Pakistan government's decision of lifting the travel curbs imposed on Islamabad's former ambassador to Washington Husain Haqqani, following the Memo Gate controversy.

"We are gratified that the government of Pakistan has lifted the travel ban on ambassador Haqqani-specifically the Supreme Court of Pakistan-and that he's free to travel as he chooses," The News quoted State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, as saying.

"And we continue to expect that Pakistan will resolve this situation and other internal issues in a transparent manner and upholding Pakistani laws and constitution," Nuland added.

Haqqani was forced to resign over claims that he was involved in drafting a secret memo against the country's army, and taking the help of Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz to get it delivered to former chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen through a mediator.

The Supreme Court had restricted his travel and ordered judges to investigate who was behind the memo, leading to speculations that President Asif Ali Zardari could be forced out of office. (ANI)