Possible Military Trial for Imran Khan? Irfan Siddiqui’s Warning Post-Faiz Hameed Arrest

Possible Military Trial

Senator Irfan Siddiqui, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Senate and head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has raised significant concerns about the possibility of former Prime Minister Imran Khan facing a military trial.

Siddiqui’s comments come in the wake of the recent arrest of former spymaster Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, suggesting that Khan’s fears of being tried in a military court may indeed be well-founded.

In an interview with a private television channel on Tuesday, Siddiqui expressed that the situation surrounding Khan is more than just a concern—it is a certainty.

He elaborated that the unfolding events related to May 9 are pivotal, as they involve the planning, execution, and communication of actions taken on that day.

Siddiqui asserted that the details surrounding these events are well-known, and while others might harbor doubts, Imran Khan is fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

Siddiqui highlighted the significance of the mention of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar following Faiz Hameed’s arrest. He pointed out that the continuous news coverage suggests Nisar’s involvement in the broader context of these events.

Siddiqui claimed that Faiz Hameed had a vested interest in thwarting General Asim Munir’s appointment as the army chief and made considerable efforts to that end.

He further accused Nisar of playing a crucial role in destabilizing the country, removing Nawaz Sharif from office, and facilitating the rise of another individual to power.

Siddiqui also cited leaked audio tapes that allegedly demonstrate Nisar’s influence over the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) courts, showing his efforts to ensure Nawaz Sharif’s conviction before the elections, even arranging hearings on holidays.

Addressing concerns about accountability, Siddiqui emphasized that he does not want the situation to escalate to the point where those already in custody might evade justice.

He reiterated his belief that Faiz Hameed had a personal stake in preventing Asim Munir from becoming army chief and had a role in influencing General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure extension.

Siddiqui alleged that on Hameed’s suggestion, Imran Khan led an attack on Rawalpindi on November 26, which he described as a strategic move with underlying motives.

Siddiqui also referred to the testimony of the then Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Tanveer Ilyas, who claimed that Imran Khan was asked to delay a protest due to local elections.

Khan’s purported response indicated that by then, Asim Munir would already be the army chief, suggesting that Khan was aware of the strategic implications.

Describing the events as a “targeted operation,” Siddiqui drew parallels with a similar operation at NADRA, where records related to General Asim Munir’s family were reportedly accessed.

He warned that if investigations into Nawaz Sharif’s cases continue, figures such as Faiz Hameed, General Bajwa, Raheel Sharif, Zaheerul Islam, Shuja Pasha, Asim Bajwa, Asif Ghafoor, and others would be implicated, potentially leading to what he termed the “London Plan.”

Siddiqui underscored that the attacks on over 200 military sites were not mere political actions but constituted military operations, which, according to him, could only be conceived by individuals with a military mindset. Concluding his remarks, Siddiqui asserted that crime should be treated as such, irrespective of the individual’s status.

He emphasized that if, during Faiz Hameed’s court-martial, evidence surfaces showing that he conspired with Imran Khan, Khan too could face trial under the Army Act.

Siddiqui confirmed that no special legislation has been introduced for Khan’s trial, and the cases will proceed under existing laws, including the Army Act.