ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States Abida Hussainhas said that Osama Bin Laden had supported and funded former primeminister Nawaz Sharif.

During an interview with a private news channel, Hussain said: “Yes, he(Osama Bin Laden) supported Mian Nawaz Sharif at one time. However, that isa complicated story. He (Osama) used to extend financial assistance (toNawaz Sharif).”

Abida, also an ex-cabinet member of Nawaz Sharif’s government, recalledthat at one time Osama Bin Laden was popular and liked by everyoneincluding the Americans but at a later stage, he was treated as a stranger.

She said she was appointed as an ambassador during the first premiership ofNawaz Sharif after she lost the election.

During her stint as an envoy to the US, the Pakistani official disclosedthat most of her communication used to be with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan.Khan had tasked her to keep the Americans engaged in talks till Pakistancompletes its nuclear program in 18 months.

The US administration including the diplomats, senators, and congressmenused to advise Pakistan against the execution of the nuclear program, sherevealed.

Responding to a question, Hussain said though she used to be spied on inthe US, she did not undertake any suspicious activity which could be usedagainst her by intelligence agencies.