Senator Faisal Vawda has alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan strategically chose December 14 for a civil disobedience movement to influence the trial of former ISI chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid. Speaking at a Karachi press conference after meeting MQM-P leaders, Vawda claimed the date was selected to coincide with expected legal proceedings against Gen Hamid.
Vawda criticized the civil disobedience call as a pressure tactic and stated that legal action against the former spymaster would begin before the announced date. Gen Hamid, detained in August over allegations of land grabbing and other offenses, is facing court-martial proceedings. Opposition parties have accused him of aiding PTI during and after its tenure in power.
Addressing the role of institutions, Vawda remarked, “The establishment’s role cannot be abolished. Security forces make immense sacrifices for the nation.” He emphasized the collaboration of the establishment, judiciary, and politicians for national betterment and stressed the need for respecting PTI’s mandate despite disagreements.
The senator also voiced concerns about Imran Khan’s safety, alleging that certain individuals within PTI, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and former first lady Bushra Bibi, were politicizing the situation.
Separately, Khan announced a five-member negotiation committee, including Omar Ayub Khan and Asad Qaiser, to engage the federal government. The committee’s demands include releasing political prisoners and forming a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents.
Imran Khan warned of launching the civil disobedience movement if these demands were unmet. He also announced a December 13 gathering in Peshawar to honor PTI supporters killed during protests, claiming 12 workers died and 1,000 were detained. The government refutes these claims, stating that four security personnel lost their lives in the unrest.
