SIALKOT – Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that certain conspiratorial elements are still attempting to bring back PTI founder Imran Khan.
Speaking to the media in Sialkot, Khawaja Asif said that Faiz Hameed was in charge of the “PTI founder project.” He claimed that when Faiz Hameed was serving as Corps Commander Peshawar, he strengthened Imran Khan’s politics and that, under Faiz Hameed’s supervision, the PTI founder was brought into power through rigging. He added that several other individuals also worked to make the PTI founder’s project successful.
The defence minister said that for four years the PTI founder played with the country’s future, and both Faiz Hameed and Imran Khan were responsible for it. He said the public knows how much the PTI founder delivered during his tenure, alleging that parliament was turned into a sub-department of the ISI during that period. He added that Faiz Hameed’s project gradually began to be exposed, and that the events of May 9 were orchestrated for the PTI founder, claiming that the planning behind them was also done by Faiz Hameed.
Khawaja Asif further alleged that all political opponents were sent to jail through Faiz Hameed and that he played a highly dangerous game with the country. He said all conspiracies were engineered by Faiz Hameed, adding that the destruction on May 9 was the joint responsibility of Faiz Hameed and the PTI founder. He warned that had their alliance continued, the country could have suffered even greater damage, stressing that those who acted with hostility towards Pakistan must be taken to their logical end.
He said accountability would also be carried out against those hiding within the bureaucracy and other institutions.
According to him, the military itself conducted Faiz Hameed’s trial and concluded the case within 15 months, resulting in his conviction.
The defence minister said the plan for the May 9 violence was a joint venture of Faiz Hameed, adding that even today conspiratorial elements are trying to bring the PTI founder back into power. He said military installations and martyrs’ memorials were desecrated on May 9, while the same armed forces later raised the nation’s pride through Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. He questioned what the country’s situation would have been had the plan of Faiz Hameed and the PTI founder succeeded.
Khawaja Asif said a new chapter in Pakistan’s history was written in May and that it was a matter of pride for the nation. He warned that if the Faiz–PTI founder nexus is not taken to its conclusion, it would not bode well for the country.
He said Faiz Hameed has the right to appeal against his sentence, but claimed that Nawaz Sharif was not given such facilities. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pulled the country out of difficult circumstances and that the military leadership supported the civilian government.
He expressed the hope that people like Faiz Hameed and the PTI founder would be eliminated from the political system.
The defence minister further said there are additional charges against Faiz Hameed, including a case related to May 9. He added that some individuals involved in past conspiracies are still quietly present in politics and must also be held accountable.
Recalling his own experience, Khawaja Asif said NAB was used against them and that he was told to give a statement against Nawaz Sharif or face imprisonment.
He said he chose imprisonment, stating he could not abandon Nawaz Sharif, and was arrested on the fifth day.
