Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that “conspiratorial elements” are still active in trying to bring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan back to power, despite recent developments that have shaken Pakistan’s political landscape.
Addressing a press conference in Sialkot on Saturday, Asif alleged that Imran Khan’s rise to power was not organic but engineered through manipulation, threats, and political victimisation, carried out with the help of now-convicted former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid. The minister said the Faiz Hamid conviction controversy has exposed how deeply politics was interfered with during PTI’s rule.
According to Asif, Faiz Hamid acted as the central figure behind what he called the “PTI project,” using state power to silence political opponents and influence the political process. He claimed that Nawaz Sharif was imprisoned and PML-N workers were jailed as part of a broader plan masterminded by the former spymaster.
“All political victimisation was done through Faiz Hamid. He reportedly threatened Imran Khan’s rivals and played a dangerous game with the country for personal and political gain,” Asif said, adding that the former premier governed for four years under Hamid’s supervision, risking Pakistan’s future.
The defence minister warned that had this alliance continued, the damage to the country could have been far greater. He stressed that those who acted against Pakistan must now be held accountable, calling the ongoing accountability process necessary and overdue.
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Referring to recent events, Asif rejected claims that Faiz Hamid’s conviction was rushed. He said the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) trial lasted more than 15 months before reaching its conclusion. Asif cited the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, which said the former ISI chief was convicted on four counts, including engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, misusing authority and state resources, and causing wrongful loss to individuals.
The Faiz Hamid conviction controversy, Asif added, should not end with one individual. He said accountability would also be extended to “hidden facilitators” within the bureaucracy and other institutions who supported such actions behind the scenes.
The defence minister also directly linked Imran Khan and Faiz Hamid to the violent events of May 9, describing them as part of a larger conspiracy. He alleged that the planning and strategy for the unrest came from Faiz Hamid, while PTI provided the manpower.
Asif recalled that military installations and martyrs’ memorials were attacked during the unrest, calling it a dark chapter in Pakistan’s history. He contrasted those events with what he described as the military’s later success in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, which he said restored national pride and strengthened Pakistan’s standing.
Concluding his remarks, Asif said recent developments mark a turning point in Pakistan’s political history, insisting that justice must prevail to prevent similar interference in the future.
