ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan alleged on Monday that Faiz Hameed, the former ISI chief who was detained earlier this month in connection with a housing scheme scam, is being pressured to turn approver against him. Khan claimed that this move is part of a strategy to facilitate his trial in a military court over the May 9 incidents.
In a separate development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has prohibited an accountability court from announcing its verdict in the £190 million corruption case involving Khan and his spouse related to the Al Qadir Trust. However, the IHC allowed the accountability court to continue its day-to-day proceedings.
Speaking to media from Adiala Jail after being remanded in a new Toshakhana reference, Khan argued that the cases against him in civil courts are baseless. He suggested that the arrest of Gen Faiz was an attempt to implicate him, and hinted that the former spymaster might be coerced into testifying against him regarding the May 9 events. Khan asserted that he is unconcerned about Gen Faiz’s potential testimony, as he believes CCTV footage will prove his innocence in the May 9 violence.
Khan accused the current government of fearing exposure of its “theft of the public mandate” after the retirement of Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa. He also dismissed claims that Gen Faiz received instructions from Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and reiterated his allegations against former army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, accusing him of betrayal and suggesting that Gen Faiz’s transfer from the ISI was part of a deal between Bajwa and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.
Regarding the £190 million corruption case, the IHC, led by Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Babar Sattar, issued a restraining order to prevent the accountability court from announcing its verdict while allowing it to proceed with the case. The court instructed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to respond to the petition filed by Khan, who sought the case record, arguing that evidence related to the case’s closure by NAB should be presented before the trial court.
Former President Arif Alvi, present in the courtroom, declared he would remain in Pakistan even if charged with high treason for dissolving the National Assembly in April 2022. PTI leader Hammad Azhar urged the establishment to cease political interference and accept the public mandate, warning that any missteps against Khan could lead to significant political fallout.
Sher Afzal Khan Marwat criticized Gen Faiz Hameed’s actions, stating that Faiz’s alleged misconduct harmed the PTI more than it benefited the party, and he condemned the former spy chief’s practices as detrimental to political opponents.
