Khalid Khawaja

Khalid Khawaja is a citizen of Pakistan and a former Air Force officer and member of the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence agency. [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GL09Df01.html Taken for a ride in the 'war on terror'] , "Asia Times", December 9 2005] Khawaja describes himself as a close associate of Osama bin Laden in the early days of the Afghan resistance against the Soviet Union. [http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2003%20Opinion%20Editorials/March%202003%20op%20eds/14%20op%20eds/Bush%20breeds%20a%20million%20Bin%20Ladens,%20by%20Khalid%20Khawaja%20%20aljazeerah.info.htm Bush breeds a million bin Ladens] , "Al-Jazeerah.info, March 14 2003]

Khawaja was dismissed for his "outspoken views": [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GF22Df04.html The pawns who pay as powers play] , "Asia Times", June 22 2005] :"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." [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/GK22Ag02.html Time to talk: US engages the Taliban] , "Asia Times", November 22 2005] 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. [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/23/asia/AS_GEN_Pakistan_Guantanamo.php 2 Pakistanis in Guantanamo Bay should be released, rights group says] , "International Herald Tribune", November 23 2006]

A noted friend of the Khadr family, Khawaja spoke in their defence saying they were being unfairly targeted by Canadian authorities because of a deference to the United States, and Islamophobia.Bell, Stewart. National Post, "Khadrs Reveal Bin Laden Ties", January 24, 2004] He has also said that Canada is "selfish and self-centred" and deserves to be bombed by terrorists. [Bell, Stewart. National Post, "Al-Qaeda says Canada deserves bombing ", May 15 2004]

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. [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007