In the light of all the news tantrum and media hype around, i will try to summarize the issue, correct me if i am wrong somewhere.
Mansoor Ijaz, a pakistani-American journalist cum businessman disclosed in his article in Financial Times, published in September 2011, the biggest incompetency and coward move of the current government to save their regime (so called democracy ). He claimed that a high-end officer in Pakistan Consulate in US has made him deliver a message from President Zardari to Mike Mullen, then Joint chief of US military forces. He, having personal terms with US officials was considered to be a reliable and resourceful friend. On 9th May 2011, he delivered the message to Gen James Jones, then US National Security Adviser, who asked for a written script and showed his unwillingness to convey the verbal message to Mullen even he had friendly terms with Mansoor Ijaz. He then provided him written version of his message.
Mansoor Ijaz pointed Hussain Haqqani, then Ambassador of Pak to US, without naming him that he carried out this act on the directions of high end Pakistani diplomat in US. Later on, he openly accused Haqqani and Zardari.
Apart from other material, the most objectionable thing was the demand of Pakistan's Civil Govt for US military support in case of Pak Military administration and establishment ( Pak Army and ISI ) stands up against the civil government and tries to derail the democracy in the aftermath of May 2nd incident ( Osama's killing in Abbottabad). In case of military led quo, US should help zardari establishment with force and concessions promised in return.
In the wake of his article, Haqqani was summoned in Pakistan by PM Pak and ultimately after expected denial, he was sacked and Shiree Rahman was sent as Ambassador of Pakistan to US. There was a wave of hatred and disappointment among the masses which were already frustrated with Zardari-Gillani Govt. Haqqani and other officials demanded a detailed investigation and negated the accusations of Mansoor Ijaz and any knowledge of any such memo. This was named as "Memo-gate Scandal"
Things got worsened when PMLN chief Nawaz Sharif showed his lack of trust on the parliament for carrying out any neutral investigation as it was like self accountability of the current govt by their own hands for their own wrong deeds as Parliament was of PPP and allegation was also against the PPP led govt. So he drafted a petition in Supreme Court and asked for judicial inquiry. Supreme Court asked all the stake holders to submit their replies within 15 days and record their stataments. Haqqani was put into ECL and Mansoor Ijaz showed his support to provide any sort of evidence and appear in the court physically if the need arises.
Initially US Govt denied the knowledge of memo but soon afterwards, Mullen admitted that memo was received but as the signatory was not authentic so he discarded it without taking any notice.
Kiyani, Pasha, Gillani and Zardari held several meetings before haqqani, kayani and Pasha submitted their responses to Supreme Court, Zardari fell ill and left for Dubai for medical treatment ( a dodgy and delaying tactic ) which was highly condemned by media and political figures. Even dissolution of cabinet and impeachment of President was being feared at some moment.
Mansoor Ijaz kept on fueling the issue at times and offering bits of evidence in support of his claims. Pasha ( Chief of ISI ) met Mansoor Ijaz on November 23rd in UK, meeting was arranged by an unknown middleman, and saw the evidences which are not revealed to public yet. Ijaz says that he will reveal the names and evidences ( blackberry fones, saved messages, telephone call records ) to the court at the right time.
Finally, kayani and Pasha submitted that there existed a memo of such nature which was drafted and handed over to Mullen via Mansoor Ijaz and Gen James Jones but authencity and origin of this memo is yet to be verified by the investigating bodies of parliment and judiciary.
----To be continued -----------