May 25, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 19, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 24: Chairman Defence for Human Rights Khalid Khwaja has served notice on the federal government and the Islamabad administration seeking Rs60.75 million in damages for allegedly mistreating, humiliating, torturing and victimising him.

The notice issued by his counsel Shaukat Aziz Siddiqi Advocate to the interior secretary, chief commissioner and deputy commissioner Islamabad on Saturday said the federal government, particularly Islamabad administration, had developed a grudge against Mr Khwaja, a resident of G-10/2.

“He was made victim of colourable exercise of authority, and abuse of law, false and frivolous accusations, illegal orders and fabricated cases. Due to these acts of the government, his reputation, goodwill, social status, business activities, family life and welfare engagements suffered.” Besides, his liberty was also curtailed without lawful justification, the notice added.

It said Mr Khwaja was ‘abducted’ on January 26, 2007 and later booked in a case registered with the Aabpara police for violating Section 144 by distributing pamphlets outside Lal Masjid. An additional sessions judge accepted his bail petition on February 21. However, the government removed him from Adiala jail to high security prison Faisalabad the same day.

He was detained on the orders of district magistrate and chief commissioner Islamabad, issued on February 22, March 6 and April 30, 2007, respectively. “The orders were issued with malafide intentions, ulterior motives and were a result of colourable exercise of authority,” the notice said.

It said the detention orders issued on March 6 and April 3, 2007 were declared as without lawful authority and of no legal effect by Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench on March 24, and April 6, 2007.

In order to give cover to the unwarranted acts of government, Mr Khwaja was also dragged into two separate cases registered with the Bharakahu and Aabpara police on April 4 and July 3, 2007.

The notice said Mr Khwaja was entitled to claim damages against all the illegal acts and orders of the government.