SIALKOT: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday claimed that certain “conspiratorial elements” are still attempting to facilitate the return of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan to power.
Addressing a press conference, Asif alleged that Imran Khan engaged in political victimisation during his tenure in collusion with now-convicted former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid. He said the former intelligence chief played a central role in targeting political opponents and manipulating the political process.
“All the victimisation was carried out through Faiz Hamid, who allegedly threatened Imran Khan’s political rivals,” the defence minister said, adding that Hamid “played a dangerous game with the country, benefiting both himself and the PTI founder.”
Asif claimed that the former spymaster was effectively “in charge of the PTI project” and had masterminded Imran Khan’s rise to power through coercion and manipulation. He further alleged that Faiz Hamid was responsible for the imprisonment of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the arrest of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers.
The minister said that during Imran Khan’s four-year rule, the country’s future was put at risk under the supervision of the former ISI chief. “Had their alliance continued, the damage to Pakistan could have been far greater,” he asserted, adding that those involved must be held accountable.
Referring to Faiz Hamid’s conviction, Asif said recent developments were unprecedented but stressed that the sentence was not delivered hastily. He noted that the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) concluded its verdict after a trial lasting over 15 months.
According to a statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the former ISI chief was convicted on four charges: involvement in political activities, violation of the Official Secrets Act in a manner harmful to national security, misuse of authority and government resources, and causing wrongful losses to individuals.
Asif said accountability would also extend to “hidden facilitators” within the bureaucracy and other institutions who supported such actions.
The defence minister further blamed Imran Khan and Faiz Hamid for the May 9 violence, describing it as part of a broader pattern of conspiracies. He alleged that the former ISI chief orchestrated the unrest for the political benefit of the PTI founder.
“The planning and strategy for May 9 came from Faiz Hamid, while the manpower was provided by PTI,” Asif claimed.
He said military installations and martyrs’ memorials were desecrated during the unrest, adding that the same armed forces targeted on May 9 later made the nation proud through Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, which, he said, enhanced Pakistan’s standing.
