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

Hussain Haqqani, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, has tendered his resignation amidst the ongoing 'Memogate' scandal, which has strained relations between Pakistan and the US. Haqqani's resignation was accepted by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who stated that an inquiry into the affair would be conducted. The scandal involves a memo allegedly written by Haqqani and delivered to US Admiral Mike Mullen, which sought to limit the Pakistani military's influence. Haqqani has denied any involvement in writing the memo, stating that it was an attempt to create discord between the country's civilian and military administrations.

Key Takeaways:

• Haqqani tendered his resignation as Pakistan's ambassador to the US on Twitter, stating that he did not want to be a stumbling block to democracy in Pakistan.
• Haqqani denied any role in writing or delivering the memo, which was allegedly written in May and delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen.
• Haqqani stated that the memo was an attempt to create discord between Pakistan's civilian and military administrations.
• Abdullah Hussain Haroon is likely to replace Haqqani as Pakistan's envoy to the US.
• The military leadership had prepared a questionnaire regarding Haqqani's role in the memo scandal, which was delivered to Mike Mullen by American businessman Mansoor Aijaz.
• President Asif Zardari, Army Chief Kayani, and DG ISI Shuja Pasha were present in a high-level meeting with Haqqani in Islamabad.
• The military leadership has requested that Haqqani's computer records and Blackberry records be reviewed as part of the inquiry into the memo scandal.

Statistics:

• The memo was allegedly written in May.
• The memo was delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen.
• The inquiry into Haqqani's role in the memo scandal is to be conducted by Prime Minister Gilani.
• The military leadership has prepared a questionnaire regarding Haqqani's role in the memo scandal.
• Haqqani was questioned by the military leadership regarding every aspect of the memo scandal.
• 3 senior officials, including President Asif Zardari, Army Chief Kayani, and DG ISI Shuja Pasha, were present in the meeting with Haqqani.

Sources:

• Islamabad: Haqqani turns Twitter activist, tenders resignation as Ambassador; The Express Tribune
• Islamabad: People think Haqqani did it but I didn’t, says envoy; The News International