Political rivals say Gen Faiz’s indictment to spell doom for Imran Khan

After former spymaster Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid's indictment on charges of engaging in political activities, Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry claimed on Tuesday that the trial would increase legal woes of incarcerated former premier Imran Khan and his already embattled party — the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The former ISI chief has been formally charged with multiple offences, including engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, misuse of authority and government resources and causing wrongful loss to a person(s), as per the military's media wing.

These violations have compromised state security and interests, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Speaking to Geo News, Senator Vawda reiterated that the PTI's civil disobedience call for December 14 was aimed at influencing the Hamid's trial.

The senator said it was highly likely that Hamid's facilitators and supporters' trial would be initiated in the coming day. Vawda claimed that the former spy master, ex-PM Imran and ex-first lady Bushra Bibi cannot be separated from the violent protests on May 9, 2023.

"It won't be surprising for me if the PTI founder is taken into military custody," Vawda added.

Detailing his point of view, Vawda noted that PTI's top leadership, including Imran, Buhsra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur and its absconding leaders like Murad Saeed, Hammad Azhar, and others would be tried in the military court when evidence related to Hamid's involvement would be presented.

The politician, who had served as a federal minister in the PTI government, said that the matter would not stop at Hamid’s court-martial but exemplary punishments would be given to all those who acted against the national interests.

Pointing towards the May 9 riots that saw attacks on the government and the military installations, he urged all parties to separate themselves from militancy. He also stressed dialogue among all parties to bring political stability to the country.

"This charge sheet is not only for Hamid but for PTI as well," Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Chaudhry commented on today's development.

He claimed that a May 9 riots last year was an attempt to cause mutiny in the armed forces under the guise of protests and the PTI gave civil disobedience call to "sabotage the trial".

"This charge sheet revolves around the nexus of Hamid and PTI founder."

The PML-N senator also termed PTI's long march in 2022 "part of a conspiracy" to stop the appointment of the army chief.

He claimed that the matter was progressing towards a conclusive end as "they [PTI] are not getting any support within the institutions".

Chaudhry added that the events, including post-February 8 general elections demonstrations, PTI's November 26 protest in Islamabad, and the civil disobedience call were an attempt to manipulate Hamid's trial.

Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lawmaker Mustafa Kamal termed Hamid's indictment a "significant development" in the country's history, saying that it would set new political protocols in the country for the next 40 years.

Kamal said that Hamid was not an ordinary individual as he enjoyed "absolute powers" as DG ISI during his tenure. However, it would be a lesson for everyone who thinks their powers would not come to an end, he added.

The MQM-P lawmaker also termed Hamid’s arrest an "extraordinary" move as individuals, he believes, on that post had never seen such actions followed by today’s development.

He expressed views that the decision would be taken on the basis of concrete evidence before making it public and leave a great impact the future course of politics in the country.

The process of field general court-martial (FGCM) was initiated against Lt Gen (retd) Hamid, who has served as the ISI chief, under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act on August 12.

Hamid's arrest

The ex-ISI chief was taken into custody by the military on charges of abuse of power and violating the Army Act earlier this year in August.

The Pakistan Army, following Supreme Court orders, had conducted a detailed inquiry to investigate complaints against Hamid in the Top City case, according to the military's media wing.

It added that the court-martial process was started against the former spy chief based on these complaints.

It said that multiple instances of violation of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement had also been established against the former general, who also served as Peshawar corps commander.

The arrest was made in connection with a petition filed by the housing society's chief executive officer in the Supreme Court last year, wherein Hamid was accused of land grabbing and stealing valuables from the owner of a private housing society during a raid.

Three more retired officers were also taken into military custody after Hamid’s arrest in connection with the same housing scheme case.