Former Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani has served a legal notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, warning him to immediately halt making false and defamatory statements against him and accusing him of providing lobbying services to former army chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa in the United States.
The notice stated that Haqqani is not, and has never been, a lobbyist for anyone in the US, including Pakistan's current or former army chief. "Haqqani is a scholar who has written extensively on Pakistan's politics and foreign policy. He is widely respected around the world for his critique of military intervention in Pakistani politics and his writings in favor of constitutional democracy and against Islamist extremism," the notice read.
https://twitter.com/husainhaqqani/status/1660875169211056128?s=20
The notice contended that "lobbying for a foreign principal in the US requires registration with the United States Department of Justice, and doing so without such registration is a violation of United States law."
"Haqqani had not violated that, or any other law. Moreover, Haqqani has not accepted compensation from anyone in Pakistan to turn anyone in the United States for or against any Pakistani political actor, including you. Your allegations and accusations that Haqqani has worked to turn the United States against you are not only false, but they are also dangerous. These false and defamatory statements are clearly being made by you and broadcast and repeated in videos, media interviews, and through mainstream and social media for the purpose of agitating and riling up your supporters against Haqqani. This has compromised both his privacy and his personal safety," it stated.
The notice stated, "Your conduct targeting Haqqani is particularly troubling given that your Pakistani followers have been known to engage in violence and have attacked prominent Pakistanis even outside the country. Haqqani is already being harassed by your followers on social media and has legitimate concerns about his safety."
"Please be advised that if you do not immediately cease and desist from making false and defamatory statements and inciting your followers to violence, or much worse if something does happen to Haqqani, he is prepared without further notice to you to take whatever legal actions are necessary in the appropriate legal forum to not only protect and defend himself but also to hold you accountable," the notice read.
The notice stated that Haqqani is not, and has never been, a lobbyist for anyone in the US, including Pakistan's current or former army chief. "Haqqani is a scholar who has written extensively on Pakistan's politics and foreign policy. He is widely respected around the world for his critique of military intervention in Pakistani politics and his writings in favor of constitutional democracy and against Islamist extremism," the notice read.
https://twitter.com/husainhaqqani/status/1660875169211056128?s=20
The notice contended that "lobbying for a foreign principal in the US requires registration with the United States Department of Justice, and doing so without such registration is a violation of United States law."
"Haqqani had not violated that, or any other law. Moreover, Haqqani has not accepted compensation from anyone in Pakistan to turn anyone in the United States for or against any Pakistani political actor, including you. Your allegations and accusations that Haqqani has worked to turn the United States against you are not only false, but they are also dangerous. These false and defamatory statements are clearly being made by you and broadcast and repeated in videos, media interviews, and through mainstream and social media for the purpose of agitating and riling up your supporters against Haqqani. This has compromised both his privacy and his personal safety," it stated.
The notice stated, "Your conduct targeting Haqqani is particularly troubling given that your Pakistani followers have been known to engage in violence and have attacked prominent Pakistanis even outside the country. Haqqani is already being harassed by your followers on social media and has legitimate concerns about his safety."
"Please be advised that if you do not immediately cease and desist from making false and defamatory statements and inciting your followers to violence, or much worse if something does happen to Haqqani, he is prepared without further notice to you to take whatever legal actions are necessary in the appropriate legal forum to not only protect and defend himself but also to hold you accountable," the notice read.