Khalid Khawaja
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Khalid Khawaja is a citizen of Pakistan and a former Air Force officer and member of the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence agency.[1] Khawaja describes himself as a close associate of Osama bin Laden in the early days of the Afghan resistance against the Soviet Union.[2]
Khawaja was dismissed for his "outspoken views":[3]
- "Khalid subsequently became a close associate of Osama bin Laden, and played an important behind-the-scenes role in both regional and national politics. Before the US attack on Afghanistan in late 2001, he was a part of the back-room diplomacy between the US and the Taliban, which failed miserably. "
A November 9, 2005 article in the Asia Times described Khawaja as the "point man" for Mansoor Ijaz, which it describes as "...a US citizen of Pakistani origin with close ties to the right wing of the Republican Party."[4] The Asia Times says that Ijaz is negotiating a peace with the remaining elements of the Taliban, with Khawaja's assistance.
The Associated Press names Khawaja a spokesman for a Pakistani human rights group named Defense of Human Rights.[5]
Khawaja was arrested in Aabpara on January 26, 2007 on charges of distributing hate material (Section 295A of the Pakistan Penal Code), which he denies.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Taken for a ride in the 'war on terror', Asia Times, December 9, 2005
- ^ Bush breeds a million bin Ladens, Al-Jazeerah.info, March 14, 2003
- ^ The pawns who pay as powers play, Asia Times, June 22, 2005
- ^ Time to talk: US engages the Taliban, Asia Times, November 22, 2005
- ^ 2 Pakistanis in Guantanamo Bay should be released, rights group says, International Herald Tribune, November 23, 2006
- ^ Khawaja denied bail, Daily Times (of Pakistan), February 4, 2007
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