Pakistan's Ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani Resigns Amid Memo Scandal

Despite media reports suggesting Hussain Haqqani's departure from his position as Pakistan's ambassador to the US, his smiling-face photograph remains on the US embassy website, indicating that his resignation has not been officially accepted. Haqqani had resigned after a Pakistani-American claimed he had been asked to deliver a memo to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen, seeking help to rein in Pakistan's powerful army. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed an investigation into the matter, asking Haqqani to submit his resignation in the meantime. Haqqani, a close aide to President Asif Ali Zardari, has expressed his desire to contribute to building a new Pakistan free of intolerance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hussain Haqqani resigned as Pakistan's ambassador to the US on Twitter, stating he wants to contribute to building a new Pakistan.
  • Haqqani's resignation came after a Pakistani-American claimed he had been asked to deliver a memo to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen.
  • Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani directed an investigation into the matter and asked Haqqani to submit his resignation.
  • Haqqani served as ambassador to the US since 2008, when the People's Party government took over.
  • Iffat Imran Gardezi, Deputy Chief of Pakistani Mission in Washington, has been appointed as the acting ambassador to the US.
  • The investigation and potential appointment of a new ambassador will be done after consultations.

Statistics:

  • The People's Party government took over in 2008, when Haqqani was appointed as Pakistan's ambassador to the US.
  • The investigation into the memo scandal is ongoing, with Prime Minister Gilani directing it at the appropriate level.
  • Hussain Haqqani's tenure as ambassador to the US lasted approximate 4 years.

Sources:

  • USA Embassy Website (articles missing date)
  • Twitter, Hussain Haqqani (@husainhaqqani)
  • Press reports (no specific source mentioned)