ISLAMABAD: A book titled 'Khalid Khawaja: Shaheed-i-Aman', written by Shamama Khalid, wife of former ISI operative Khalid Khawaja claims that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received money from al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden to contest elections against Benazir Bhutto in 1990.
The book says that Sharif's pledge to introduce an Islamic system attracted Osama. “Chief of PML-N Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif received funding from Osama bin Laden, founder of al-Qaida, to contest against Benazir Bhutto-led Pakistan People's Party after the end of Zia regime,” the book claims. However, even after receiving massive funds, Sharif backtracked from all promises after coming into power, said a report. The book also carries a note from former Inter-Services Intelligence director general, retired Lt-Gen Hamid Gul that says that Khawaja was very close to Sharif for some time.
The book also said that Palestinian Sunni Abdullah Azzam, also known as the 'Father of Global Jihad', introduced Khawaja to the al-Qaida head honcho. It further reads that Khawaja was killed by a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban while he was on a peace mission in the restive tribal areas.
