Khawaja Asif terms Faizabad commission report a farce

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has dismissed the report on the Faizabad sit-in by the commission as a joke. He advised the government to reject this half-baked report, which did not include the testimonies of former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and former ISI chief Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid.

Speaking to Asma Shirazi on the Hum News programme “Faisala Aap Ka,” Khawaja Asif revealed that during the caretaker government’s tenure, he was also summoned by the commission. He shared his experience, stating that he appeared before the commission, but the interaction was unproductive. Despite his willingness to discuss certain matters, he felt unheard at that moment.

Khawaja Asif criticized the Faizabad Dharna Commission report, emphasizing that he had requested written questions to provide written responses. However, no further questions were sent, and there was a lack of interest in questioning him. He also highlighted the conspiracy against Nawaz Sharif during that time, orchestrated by various actors.

The report’s credibility was compromised due to the absence of statements from Gen (retd) Faiz and Gen (retd) Bajwa. Khawaja Asif called for the rejection of this report by the government and urged introspection by those involved in its preparation. He also mentioned that Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the then Prime Minister, was also summoned, but many questions remained unanswered.

He said that dialogue can solve issues. “We should engage in 100 per cent dialogue. Political forces should respect their fraternity,” he said.

“There is no pressure on Nawaz Sharif, and no one is dissatisfied. Our government is following Nawaz Sharif’s guidance. We have started placing things in their proper places. The investments coming into the country will have a significant impact. Inflation will also be controlled. Privatization is also on a fast track. May 15 is the date for Islamabad Airport’s outsourcing. Several airports will be outsourced before May 15. Someone must be held accountable for the country’s destruction,” Asif said.

“I am deeply saddened by the incident in Parliament where Aseefa Bhutto was verbally abused,” he said