Haqqani’s services utilised by making him ambassador: Zardari

Says he does not agree with former envoy’s recent views

ISLAMABAD: PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said that he did not agree with the recent views of Husain Haqqani while he had utilised his services as the ambassador to US.

He said that Husain Haqqani didn’t even have the right in American Embassy to issue visas [to anyone].Taking to Geo News programme of Hamid Mir, he said, “I don’t think Husain Haqqani has said this, he didn’t even have the right in American Embassy to issue visas [to anyone]. There are many people in American Embassy than just the ambassador who scrambled through the important visas.”

Zardari said, “I would never meet Haqqani nor would plan to meet during my visits to Washington.”“Husain Haqqani lives in another world altogether these days. There is a lot of difference in the way we think now,” the PPP leader said.

“I don’t agree with what Haqqani has written about Pakistan in his book. Haqqani considers himself Washington’s philosopher and lobbyist, there are some people who make friends in US while making anti-Pakistani statements,” said Zardari, adding, “Haqqani thinks he is very smart.”

When Husain Haqqani was made the ambassador, the president of the country was Pervez Musharraf.He said, “How dare the NAB chief file a case against me. I am threatening the government and its minister. It is possible that you will fall down on my feet like Saif-ur-Rehman.”

“Even after rejecting the results of election, we supported democracy,” he said. “If I didn’t take the oath, someone else would have come, and with that person you would have not been able to do democratic work.”

Sharing his future plans, he said Bilawal and he would go to parliament only. “We will go to this parliament. For a political hunt, it is necessary to go to the politicians’ nest.”“No politician can open an account in any other country except Nawaz Sharif,” he said, adding, “I am also waiting for the verdict in the Panama case.”

When asked about Swiss Bank account, he said if there was money in the Swiss Bank, it belonged to foreigners and not Pakistanis. “I don’t have money in Swiss Bank,” he claimed.Speaking about the relationship with the US, he said, “I don’t want entry in US, I want trade relationship.”

He also said, “We had a lot of expectations from Barack Obama. He didn’t reach his full potential like we thought he would.”The PPP co-chairperson also mentioned the military courts. “Military courts were also established for two years previously,” he said, adding, “Our advice on military courts was disliked by a few of our friends.”

Zardari also spoke about Sheikh Rasheed and accused him of lack of loyalty. “When I was the president, Sheikh Rasheed once ate meal with me. The food lacked salt,” he said while alluding to Rasheed’s alleged lack of loyalty.Recently, Sheikh Rasheed had called Nawaz Sharif and Zardari each other’s insurance policy.