By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called for an open court trial for retired General Faiz Hameed, detained over a housing scheme scam, amid claims that the former spy chief is being pressured to testify against him.
Khan, who is currently incarcerated, claimed that Hameed was being coerced into testifying against him to facilitate a military trial in the May 9 violence case.
“If General Faiz Hameed is the main character behind the May 9 conspiracy, then I demand that the army chief conduct General Faiz Hameed’s trial in an open court,” Khan said in a social media post. “An open trial will bring the facts before the world. I know they won’t hold an open trial and will make decisions behind closed doors.”
Khan warned that a military trial would harm Pakistan’s global image, reiterating his demand for a civil court trial. “Everyone knows that all the other cases against me have been dismissed, which is why they now want to take me to military courts,” he said. “I am a former civilian Prime Minister; taking me to a military court will damage Pakistan’s image.”
During an informal conversation with journalists, Khan said the army chief should facilitate a transparent trial for Hameed, clarifying that his association with the ex-ISI chief is no longer relevant post-retirement. “General Faiz became insignificant after retirement. How could he benefit me in any way?” he said.
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 the former top intelligence official, calling the arrest an “army’s internal matter.” Khan also denied any political relationship with Hameed, stating that 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.
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