Khawaja Asif links ex-ISI chief Faiz Hameed to Nawaz Sharif's removal, signals further action

Sialkot (Web Desk): Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday said that further legal action is expected against former ISI chief Faiz Hameed, whom he accused of playing a central role in a plan to bring the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) into power and remove former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from office.

Speaking at a press conference in Sialkot, Khawaja Asif stated that the former ISI chief has already been convicted after a legal process that lasted around 15 months, and that fresh proceedings will now be initiated on additional charges.

He added that Faiz Hameed is no longer a serving general and that his military rank has also been withdrawn.

The defence minister said that the developments witnessed over the past few days are unprecedented, noting that the military institution had carried out the process against the former ISI chief in a transparent manner. He said further action would also be taken in relation to other allegations.

Khawaja Asif alleged that the PTI founder and Faiz Hameed had conspired against the state and, during their time, used power to jail political opponents, issue threats and abuse political authority.

He further claimed that Faiz Hameed and PTI workers were also behind the events of May 9.

“Had these conspiratorial elements succeeded, the country could have suffered serious internal damage,” Asif said.

However, he said that under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the armed forces safeguarded the country and ensured that Pakistan’s dignity was upheld at the international level.

The defence minister also accused PTI of encouraging negotiations with the Taliban and facilitating their settlement in Pakistan.

Khawaja Asif said that the incumbent Shehbaz Sharif-led government, in coordination with the military leadership, played a decisive role in steering the country out of difficult circumstances and stabilising the situation.