PM seeks clarification regarding Mushahidullah’s claim of conspiracy by Ex-ISI chief

ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mushahidullah Khan has accused former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt. General (retd) Zahiurl Islam of hatching a conspiracy against the government and military leadership to seize power during the sit-in of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) last year.

The minister while talking to BBC Urdu on Friday said the conspiracy came to fore after Intelligence Bureau (IB), a civil spy service, intercepted a telephonic conversation of the former ISI boss, who was issuing instructions to spread anarchy and to occupy the Prime Minister House.

Mushahidullah went on to claim that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif played the recording of the conversation before Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif who he said was astonished after listening to the audio tape.

He further said that the COAS was surprised after listening to the tape and that he then called the ISI chief to the meeting and asked him if that was his voice. “When Zahirul Islam confirmed it, he was asked to leave,” said Senator Mushahidullah Khan.

He went on to say that the chief target of the conspiracy was not only the civilian government, but it was also aimed at the army chief.

PM seeks explanation from Mushahidullah over his statement

An official spokesman from the Prime Minister House has denied existence of any recorded tape of former ISI Chief as alleged by Federal Minister Mushahidullah Khan in his interview.

The PM has sought an explanation from the minister on his statement in the interview broadcast by BBC.

The spokesman added that PM Nawaz has no knowledge of any tape which was presented to him by the minister as claimed.

Pervez Rashid also denies Mushahidullah’s claim

Reacting over the shocking revelations, Information Minister Pervez Rashid categorically rejected the claim of Mushahidullah Khan.

Rashid said that the incident is fabricated, adding that he was always by the PM’s side during the sit-ins and he did not witness any such incident.

He supported the PM House statement and said that the PM was not aware of the tape mentioned by Mushahidullah.