By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed on Monday that ex-spymaster Faiz Hameed was being coerced into testifying against him to facilitate a military court trial in connection with the violence on May 9.
Khan, speaking to media in Adiala jail after being sent on judicial remand in a new Toshakhana case, claimed the cases against him lacked substance and that Hameed’s arrest aimed to implicate him. “General Faiz is being forced to become an approver against me,” he added.
The military arrested former intelligence chief Lieutenant General (retd) Hameed earlier this month and initiated a court martial over his alleged involvement in a housing scheme scandal.
Hameed, who headed the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, is accused of orchestrating a raid on the offices and residence of Top City housing scheme’s owner and allegedly extorting money and valuables.
Khan had distanced himself from the arrest of a former top intelligence official, calling the arrest an ‘army’s internal matter’.
Khan also denied any political relationship with Hameed, stating their association was limited to his tenure as premier and spy agency chief until October 2021.
The removal of Hameed as ISI chief in 2021 is widely seen as a pivotal factor in the deterioration of relations between Khan and the military establishment. The rift ultimately led to his ousting in April 2022, when he lost a vote of no-confidence in parliament. General Hameed opted for early retirement after Khan’s government was toppled.
Hameed was among six senior generals considered for the top two military posts, with his name sent to then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval in November 2022.
The founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, claimed authorities were trying to extract a confession from Hameed.
“It is being said that General Hameed was the mastermind behind the events of May 9. It seems like they’re going to make him a witness against me,” he added. “They’re trying to squeeze a confession out of him and are pushing him to claim that the day’s events were part of a grand conspiracy.”
Khan expressed confidence that even if Hameed testified against him, CCTV footage could identify the true culprits behind the May 9 violence.
“If General Hameed had ordered my arrest or was involved in the theft of May 9 CCTV footage, then he must face the music.”
Khan, a long-time supporter of Hameed, said he had no concerns about the former spymaster testifying against him. “I have no concern if he testifies against me.”
The former prime minister reiterated his demand for a judicial probe into the violence, saying, “Had I been involved in these riots, I wouldn’t have asked for a judicial inquiry.”
Khan also dismissed claims attributed to Hameed that he had been taking instructions from his wife Bushra Bibi.
“They shamelessly say Gen Hameed was giving orders to Bushra Bibi. They’re scared that if [CJP] Qazi Faez Isa leaves, the election rigging will be exposed,” Khan said.
The violent protests broke out on May 9, 2023, after Khan was briefly arrested in a land fraud case. His supporters clashed with the police and Rangers, set fire to vehicles and public property, and attempted to storm the headquarters of the military and the Inter-Services Intelligence, the country’s powerful spy agency. They also attacked the residence of a top general in Lahore. Thousands of PTI supporters, including its senior leaders, have been arrested.
The violence was condemned by the military as a “dark chapter” in the country’s history. The military has since vowed to bring to justice all those involved in the violence.
Khan has consistently distanced his party from the protests, alleging they were pre-planned and staged to launch a crackdown on his party.
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