ISLAMABAD: Former ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani has threatened to take legal action against former Prime Minister Imran Khan for making “false statements and launching a smear campaign” against him.
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Haqqani’s counsel has written a letter to the ex-PM, warning that if he doesn’t stop making defamatory statements, a defamation case will be filed against him.
The move came after Khan accused Haqqani of being part of a US-backed conspiracy to oust him from power in April last year. Khan’s allegations were based on revelations made by a US-based journalist of Pakistani origin, Waqas, who claimed that Haqqani was paid from the national exchequer to lobby against Khan’s government. Waqas also alleged that Haqqani was in touch with former Army Chief General Bajwa to pave the way for regime change.
Interestingly, Hussain Haqqani who is based in US, hasn’t utterd a single word against journalist Waqas who is also based in the US.
Haqqani has denied all these allegations and stated that the PTI chairman “hallucinates and lies.” Haqqani’s American attorney, Steven Barentzen, has asked Khan to immediately cease and desist from making false and defamatory statements about Haqqani.
Barentzen has also warned Khan not to incite violence against his client. The letter was sent to Khan’s Bani Gala address and was delivered on Monday.
Media reports suggest that the former ambassador’s counsel has made it clear that legal action will be taken against the former premier if he continues to make such defamatory statements.