PPP distances itself from Haqqani’s views 

Former ambassador to US says he stood by Benazir, Zardari in tough times

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party on Friday disassociated and distanced itself from former ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Hussain Haqqani's opinion on different issues.  “Pakistan People's Party has distanced itself from the former Ambassador to the US, and the party has nothing to do with the views expressed by the latter,” said PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar.

He said this when his attention was drawn to the recent statements of Hussain Haqqani on a host of issues, involving national security. The spokesman said that Hussain Haqqani’s views are entirely his own, and it would not be correct to attribute them to the PPP.

When asked whether Haqqani was shown the door, he explained that Hussain Haqqani was not a party member, and he was appointed as an ambassador to the United States by the PPP government. The party, he said, has nothing to do with his recent statements.  “Whatever the statements of former Ambassador Hussain Haqqani are his personal view and not reflect the PPP position,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hussain Haqqani said in a tweet: “Political parties cannot be expected to own scholarly research or analysis just as scholarly work cannot be constrained by party policies.

“Joined SMBB in 1993, stood by her and AAZ in tough times. That political contribution to Pakistan politics is sufficient. 

“Glad that I can now focus on research & writing without having to worry about ties to PPP or its policies.”