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Mansurul Haq

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This article is about former Admiral M Mansurul Haq. For Brigadier (r) Mansoor-ul-Haq Malik, see Mansoor-ul-Haq Malik.

Mansurul Haq
File:Admiral Mansurul Haq (1937-2018).jpg
Adm. Mansurul Haq (1937)
Chief of Naval Staff
In office
10 November 1994 – 1 May 1997
Preceded byAdm. Saeed Moh'd Khan
Succeeded byAdm. Fasih Bokhari
Chairman of National Shipping Corporation
In office
17 August 1992 – 06 November 1994
Preceded byR-Adm Jawaid Ali
Succeeded byV-Adm. Abaidullah Khan
Personal details
Born
Mansurul Haq

(1937-10-16)October 16, 1937
Sialkot, Punjab, British India
(Present-day Punjab in Pakistan)
DiedFebruary 21, 2018(2018-02-21) (aged 80)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Cause of deathCardiac Arrest
Resting placeMilitary graveyard in Karachi
Citizenship Pakistan
Residence(s)Islamabad, Pakistan
Military service
Allegiance Pakistan
Branch/service Pakistan Navy
Years of service1954–1997
RankAdmiral
UnitNaval Operations Branch
CommandsCommander Pakistan Fleet
Commander Karachi
DG Joint Training at JS HQ
DCNS (Personnel) at Navy NHQ
DG Naval Intelligence East
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani war of 1965
Indo-Pakistani war of 1971
Bangladesh Liberation War
Awards Nishan-e-Imtiaz
(Withdrawn)
Hilal-i-Imtiaz
(Withdrawn)
Sitara-e-Basalat
(Withdrawn)

Mansurul Haq (Urdu: منصور الحق; October 16, 1937[1]–February 21, 2018) was a former four-star rank admiral in the Pakistan Navy who was forcibly retired from his commission in 1997 on the allegations leveled against him in the corruption and kickbacks resulting during the technology transfer of submarines from France.[2] by the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is currently facing corruption charges himself.

Driving a targeted policy on anti-corruption by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif against ex Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and certain targeted individuals including Military officials, Prime Minister Nawaz forced Admiral Mansurul Haque to submit his resignation on 1 May 1997 despite his meeting with Admiral Mansurul Haque in Islamabad prior to Admiral Mansurul Haque submitting his resignation on return to Karachi. Mr. Sharif was guided by Senator Saifur Rahman, his trusted aly who was driving the accountability drive for the Pakistan Muslim League Govt of Mr. Nawaz Sharif. Admiral Mansurul Haque travelled to the US for his medical treatment and prior to departing, had notified Naval authoriites as well as the then Chief of Army Staff and was seen off by Naval staff in Karachi at this airport. Later while he was in the USA, Senator Saif declared him as an absconder and publicly stated that the Admiral had run away from the country. Later it was publicized by Nawaz Sharif the Admiral Haque was extradited to Pakistan. Admiral's case attracted subsequent media attention in Pakistan however it is important to put facts in place that the Admiral's return to Pakistan was voluntary. There was no extradition case or hearing held in the United States and Admiral Haque returned on his on wish. He was held in Sihala Prison to face accountability[3][4]

However, Haque was later released after successfully negotiating a plea bargain.[5] In 2013, he later filed a lawsuit against the Government of Pakistan at the Sindh High Court, seeking to restore his rank and other privileges. The government restored his rank but not his privileges.[6] . Decision to purchase the Agosta submarines for which Haque was charged was made prior to his being appointed Chief of Pakistan Navy - To Haque's credit is the development of Gawadar and Ormara project which had led today to the development of the extensive 'One belt' project with China.

Biography

Mansurul Haq was born in Sialkot, Punjab in India, in 1937 into a Punjabi family.[2] After his matriculation in Sialkot, he briefly attended the Murray College and commissioned in the Pakistan Navy in 1954 as Midshipman.[2]

In 1954, he was sent to the United Kingdom where he attended the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in England, graduated in geography course in 1956.[2] In 1957, he did his further military training at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth where he specialized as gunnery specialist, returned to Pakistan before being promoted as sub-lieutenant in the Navy in 1958.[2] In 1964–65, Lt. Haq served in the second war with India, and was posted in East Pakistan after the war.[2]

In 1969–71, Lieutenant-Commander Haq was posted in East Pakistan where he was the Director of the Naval Intelligence, fighting a war against India in December 1971.[7] He was taken as war prisoner by Indian Army and was repatriated back to Pakistan following the trilateral agreement signed in 1974.[8]: 248–249 [9]

His career progressed extremely well in the Navy, and was sent to attend the Naval War College in Rhode Island in the United States where he graduated in management course.[10] In 1983, Captain Haq was promoted to one-star assignment in the Navy NHQ, and Cdre Haq briefly tenured as the ACNS (Ops).[10] In 1985–89, Cdre Haq served in the Ministry of Defence and later as Director of Joint Training at the JS HQ before being promoted to two-star assignment, and Rear-Admiral Haq was made a senior fleet commander as Commander Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK), and later as Commander Karachi (COMKAR) in 1991–92.: 337 [11]

On 22 February 2018, his family's spokesperson reportedly announced in a news media of his death in Dubai where he was visiting his daughter and was buried in Sharjah in United Arab Emirates as his wish was to be buried in the land he passes away. Admiral Haque was focussed on the restoration of his rank and to bring to justice the people who actually benefited.

Chief of Naval Staff

Main article: Agosta Submarines Scandal

In 1992, Rear-Admiral Haq was promoted to three-star assignment, and was appointed as secondment at the National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) by then-Chief of Naval Staff Admiral S.M. Khan. However, his chairmanship was caught between the privatization policy led by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Admiral S.M. Khan, when a civilian bureaucrat filed a petition against his tenureship at the Sindh High Court.: contents [12]

Vice-Admiral Haq fiercely opposed any attempts of privatization policy, causing a stress on the civil-military relations with the civilian federal government.: contents [12] In 1992, Vice-Admiral Haq announced to sell off the old metal scrap that would raise the revenue of US$50–60 million to buy new cargo ships.: 4 [13]

In 1994, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto publicly announced to promote Vice-Admiral Haq as a four-star admiral in the Navy, appointing him as the Chief of Naval Staff.: 35 [14] The promotion came with controversy since Vice-Admiral Mansur was due for retirement.: 35 [14] however it is worth highlighting the Agosta Submarine's were purchased in the tenure of of Admiral Saeed Mohammad Khan who had a personal dislike for Admiral Mansurul Haque and was making all efforts to side line him.

Although, it was Admiral Saeed Mohammad Khan who had given a go-ahead of procuring the technology transfer of the Agosta 90B submarines in 1994 against his discretionary and had sent a team of select officers to negotiate contracts with the French and also finalize the selection criteria for the procurement of the Victoria-class submarines. the financial deals were further processed in the time of the Benazir administration and the administrations of Mitterrand and Chirac in 1994–97.[15] In 1995, Adm. Haq held additional talks with the French Navy over the strengthening of the cooperation between two nations.: 56–60 [16]

Dismissal and extradition

In 1996–97, the Naval Intelligence began investigating the allegations and rumors at the Navy NHQ surrounding the role of Admiral S.M. Khan and Admiral Haq.[17] The whole nation became completely aware of the scandal in 1998, when the scandal was exposed.[18]

In 1998, Haque went to theUnited States to visit his daughter and for his medical treatment in Austin in Texas. In 1999, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) announced to open the investigations on Agosta scandal, with French Tracfin aiding the investigations, where major breakthrough in the investigation was made in 2000–01.[19]

In 2001, the anti-corruption courts issued the arrest warrants. The Texas Ranger detained him in Texas, and asked him if he wanted to file a case to fight extradition as Admiral Haque and rights to live in the United States. He volantarily decided to return to Pakistan on 17 April 2001.: 128 [3][19][20] While Haque had a right to fight for his extradition, he choose not to.[19]

Lawsuits, imprisonment and release

In 2001, the Accountability Court inducted Haq in receiving commissions and kickbacks worth $3.369 million in defence deals.[21] Civilian prosecution also leveled charges on him of being involved in financial deals made through selling the metal scrap through the National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), which caused the PNSC to lose $3 million in national exchequer.[19]. There never was a sentence levied on him and an out of court settlement was done. In 2003–05, Haq returned a total sum of $7.5 million while in office, which were immediately shifted back to Navy's national account.: 71 [22]: content [23] The amount was said to be enough to pay the salaries of entire navy for two years.: 213 [24]

After transferring the amount back to Navy's account, Haq was released from the prison and all cases against him were closed as part of the deal, eventually settling in Karachi.[25]

In 2013, Haq filed a lawsuit against the Government of Pakistan, seeking to restore his medical privileges, pensions, and four-star rank, at the Sindh High Court.[6] Chief Justice of Sindh High Court, Justice Faisal Arab (now serving as Justice in the Supreme Court of Pakistan), heard his appeal as Haq cited his 43 years of military service in the Navy who fought the two wars where he was taken war prisoner by India in 1971.[6] In 2013, the Government of Pakistan agreed to restore his rank (as former) and limited medical pensions but not all benefits that are enjoyed by four-star officers in the Pakistani military.[6]

Aftermath of Agosta submarine scandal

Later revelation and subsequent knowledge

After the nationwide general elections held in 2008, which saw the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) forming the government and Asif Zardari elected as President, the knowledge on the Agosta submarines scandal became to emerge again, which brought several PPP politicians being involved in the scandal in public notice.[17] Despite many investigative journalism reports and media airing the information gained on the Agosta submarines scandal, Haq remained silent and refused to appear on the news media.[15]

Role of Adm. SM Khan and others were also implicated, including the role of Aamir Lodhi, an arms dealer based in France who is also brother of Maleeha Lodhi former Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, she served from February 2015 to September 2019 .[26]

Though, Adm. SM Khan denied his role in such deals as the latter wanted to purchase the Victoria-class submarines in 1994.[15]

In 2010, Cdre Shahid Ashraf, the DG NI under Admiral Haq, revealed on the Dawn News that the submarine deal, for which Admiral Mansurul Haq pleaded guilty, was signed before he took charge as Chief of Naval Staff.[27] Shahid Ashraf further claimed that Admiral Haq was not part of the selection team which recommended Agosta 90B for purchase from France.[27] The selection was made during Admiral Saeed Mohammad Khan.[27] The selection committee included various Admirals including those who subsequently held senior positions after Admiral Haq was removed from his position. However, Shahid Ashraf did not put forward any evidence that proved Haq's innocence.[28]

In June 2010, French investigators raided the house of Amir Lodhi, and handed over the important documents relating the defence deals to the NAB. The reports confiscated by the French investigators revealed to have found in regards involvement of former President Asif Ali Zardari who had have received €33 million while Amir Lodhi's share was €2.9 million.[29]

About the case study and trial of the Haq, former chief of naval staff, Adm. Abdul Aziz Mirza reportedly quoted in the news media that "former Naval Chief Mansurul haq was not convicted of Agosta kickbacks but for the kickback he had pocketed in other defence deals.": contents [18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Pakistan, Tareekh e. "پاک بحریہ کے سربراہ۔ ایڈمرل منصور الحق". www.tareekhepakistan.com. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Pakistan, Tareekh e (1994). "Admiral Mansur ul Haq (پاک بحریہ کے سربراہ۔ ایڈمرل منصور الحق)" (id). www.tareekhepakistan.com (in Urdu). Tareekh e Pakistan (پاک بحریہ کے سربراہ۔ ایڈمرل منصور الحق)). Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Former Pakistani navy chief arrested" BBC News, 12 April 2001
  4. ^ Staff Writer (31 January 2002). "Ex-chief of Navy stripped of rank, benefits". DAWN.COM. Dawn Newspaper, 2002. Dawn Newspaper. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  5. ^ "Masoorul Haq held in another NAB reference" Dawn, 17 July 2002
  6. ^ a b c d staff writer (12 October 2013). "SHC gives govt last chance to reply on Mansurul Haq's petition | Pakistan News Index". pakistannewsindex.com. pakistannewsindex. pakistannewsindex. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  7. ^ Kazi, Dr. AGN (1971). "Gen Abdul Hamid Khan meets Lt Cdr (later Admiral) Mansur ul Haq in East Pakistan, 1971". Flickr. AGN Kazis' file. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  8. ^ Tariq, Kamala (19 May 2005). "KARACHI: Notice issued on Mansur's petition". DAWN.COM. Karachi, Pakistan: Dawn newspapers, 2005. Dawn newspapers. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  9. ^ Sirohey, Iftikhar Ahmed (1995). Truth Never Retires: An Autobiography of Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey (1st ed.). Karachi, Sind, Pk: Jang Publishers. p. 592.
  10. ^ a b Economic Review, Volume 24, Page 94 - Economic & Industrial Publications., 1993
  11. ^ Pakistan Year Book. East & West Publishing Company. 1992. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  12. ^ a b Prasad, Dr Nitin (2016). Contemporary Pakistan: Political System, Military and Changing Scenario. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 9789385505270. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  13. ^ Lloyd's List Maritime Asia. Lloyd's of London Press. 1994. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  14. ^ a b Anwar, Muhammad; Baig, Ebad (2012). Pakistan: Time for Change (google books). AuthorHouse. p. 160. ISBN 9781477250303. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  15. ^ a b c "PPP govt, not Navy, purchased French subs, in a deal". www.thenews.com.pk. Islamabad: News International 2011. News International. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  16. ^ Daily Report: Near East & South Asia. The Service. 1995. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  17. ^ a b Sharif, Arshad (30 December 2010). "REPORTER-Kickbacks and commissions in Agosta submarine case-Part-3-Clip-1" (watch.tv). Dawn News (in Urdu). Islamabad: Dawn News Network, 2010 P-I. Dawn News Network. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  18. ^ a b Sehri, Inam (2013). Judges and Generals in Pakistan. Grosvenor House Publishing. ISBN 9781781482346.
  19. ^ a b c d Ahmed, PN, Rear Admiral Tanvir (2001). "CASE STUDY" (PDF). www.nab.gov.pk. Islamabad: NAB Press. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  20. ^ Sareen, Tilak Raj (2004). Socio-economic and Political Development in South Asia. Delhi India: Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 9788182050778. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  21. ^ Iqbal, Nasir (23 October 2001). "ISLAMABAD: Former naval chief indicted in $3.369m kickbacks case". DAWN.COM. Dawn Newspaper, 2001. Dawn Newspaper. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  22. ^ Bureau, Pakistan National Accountability (2002). Annual Report. National Accountability Bureau. Retrieved 8 September 2017. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  23. ^ Lieven, Anatol (2012). Pakistan: A Hard Country. PublicAffairs. ISBN 9781610391627. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  24. ^ Hill, Geoff (2003). "the money trail" (google books). The Battle for Zimbabwe: The Final Countdown. London, UK: Zebra. p. 300. ISBN 9781868726523. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  25. ^ "Musharraf tried Haq under NAB law and Navy was not hurt". www.thenews.com.pk. The News International, 2017. The News International. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  26. ^ Special Report (5 November 2003). "Musharraf Fires US Spy Agency for Pushing Amir Lodhi's Arrest:Maleeha's Fugitive Brother Allowed to Sneak Away from Embassy in Washington". antisystemic.org. South Asian Tribune, 2003. South Asian Tribune. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  27. ^ a b c staff writer, editorial (10 November 2010). "DG Naval Intelligence ready to spill the beans". www.thenews.com.pk. The News International. The News International. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  28. ^ Video on YouTube
  29. ^ "Zardari 'pocketed millions' in French subs deal: report" Archived 5 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine Nation, 15 January 2011

Media coverage

Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Naval Staff
1994 – 1997 		Succeeded by
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