ISLAMABAD: Responding to the incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s demand for an “open trial” of former spymaster Faiz Hamid, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Wednesday that if Imran Khan’s trial were to be conducted in a military court regarding the May 9 riots, it would be open to the public.
The Defence Minister’s remarks came shortly after the former prime minister called for an open trial of ex-Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid, who was recently taken into military custody over allegations of power abuse and violations of the Army Act.
Speaking in a TV program, Asif noted, “There is no precedent in our country’s history for any general’s military trial being held in an open court.” However, he assured that if the PTI founder were to face a military court, it would be open to the public and the media since he is a civilian.
Asif also emphasized that it is not the military’s tradition to conduct open trials of its personnel. He accused the former ruling party of colluding with the detained former spy chief, suggesting that the violent protests on May 9, which were triggered by Khan’s arrest and involved attacks on state properties, including military installations, were premeditated.
The Defence Minister further alleged that Imran Khan provided the manpower for the May 9 riots while the former top spy “masterminded the conspiracy.”
When questioned about the former prime minister’s statements denying any connection with the ex-ISI chief, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader claimed that not only Khan but also PTI’s second-tier leadership had openly admitted to maintaining contact with Gen (retd) Faiz even after the May 9, 2023 riots.
Earlier in the day, during an informal interaction with journalists at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, the former prime minister, who was ousted via a parliamentary vote in 2022, stated that an open trial of the ex-ISI chief would benefit the country and contribute to its prosperity.
In response, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar criticized the ex-prime minister’s statement as an attempt to interfere in the army’s affairs. He accused Khan of trying to make the army’s internal accountability process “controversial” through his remarks.
Following the ex-spymaster’s arrest, Khan distanced himself from the retired general, who served as DG ISI during his tenure, asserting that he had no connection with him. “If the military wants to hold General Faiz accountable, they should proceed,” Khan said, emphasizing that it was an internal matter for the army.
On August 12, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced the arrest of the former ISI chief, citing allegations of land grabbing and extorting valuables from the owner of a private housing society. The army’s media wing stated, “Complying with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a detailed court of inquiry was undertaken by the Pakistan Army to ascertain the correctness of complaints in the Top City Case made against Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid.”
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
