ISLAMABAD: National Party Punjab President Ayub Malik has slammed the federal government for launching an inquiry against former senator and prominent human rights defender Farhatullah Babar, demanding of the government to immediately stop this witchhunting of the former lawmaker.

`Barbar is being punished for highlighting human rights issues and defending the constitution. A wellrespected former law-maker has always stood for the rule of law, supremacy of the parliament and upholding of the constitution besides defending the rights of marginalized sections of society,` Mr Malik said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The Punjab president of NP said that it was unfortunate that those who defended the constitution are being harassed and intimidated in this way. `We stand with the former senator in solidarity and would raise this issue at all forums,` he pledged.

He demanded of the government to immediately stop this inquiry. `Such tactics of the Federal Investigation Agency would not do any favour to the country, instead they would cause embarrassment for the state and the government,` the political leader warned. Staff Reporter