Imran, Faiz were in cahoots in compromising state interests: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defence minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that former premier and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan was in cahoots with the former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed in taking decisions that compromised Pakistan’s security and interests.

Speaking to a private TV channel, Asif reiterated what his party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has been repeating since the dethroning of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in 2017. Khawaja Asif said that even without Faiz’s personal benefits, Imran and Faiz had found that their interests converged.

Yesterday, the ISPR had also issued a statement announcing formal indictment of former spymaster Faiz Hameed for multiple offences, including but not limited to misuse of authority, wrongful usage of government resources, violating the Official Secrets Act and engaging in political activities. ISPR statement said that these activities compromised state security and interests.

PTI to continue protest until meaningful dialogue

Khawaja Asif said that Imran was hoping to promote Faiz to the position of Chief of Army Staff. He added that the former premier and the former ISI chief had a ten-year-plan for after Faiz was promoted. The defence minister called May 9 events a “desperate attempt” to initiate “talk within the institution” of bringing the PTI back into power.

On May 9, after Imran Khan was arrested, PTI activists broke out into violent protests and attacked military installations, including General Headquarters (GHQ), in Rawalpindi.

Asif also said that the indictment on Faiz Hameed also includes Imran Khan as a beneficiary. He said that the two must have also tried to sow discord within the ranks of the military. The case against the two will continue, he said, adding that it is based on solid evidence.

PTI’S STANCE

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said earlier in the matter that the party is not concerning itself with the case against Faiz Hameed. PTI called it an “internal matter of the Pakistan Army”.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan is currently incarcerated at Adiala jail, facing multiple charges of vandalism, corruption and violent protest.