Islamabad (National Times) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Khan Marwat has said that he has always condemned the acts of former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid, who was recently detained by military over allegations of abuse of power and violating Army Act.
“Being a lawyer, I cannot approve of Gen Faiz’s acts as spy chief such as victimising political opponents, harassing them, lodging cases against them..,” he said while talking on Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on Monday.
Marwat said this in response to a question if he still holds the same opinion which he expressed in the same programme on February 15, stressing that he has the same opinion about the former spy chief.
The PTI leader noted that Faiz’s malpractices were blamed on the former ruling party. However, the PTI did not benefit from him, he asserted, adding that he [Faiz] had caused more harm to the PTI than any good to the party.
Gen (retd) Faiz was taken into custody over allegations of land grabbing and snatching valuables from the owner of a private housing society, the military’s media wing had announced adding that a process of Field General Court Martial was also initiated against the retired general.
A day later, three more retired officers were taken into military custody after Faiz’s arrest, according to the army’s media wing.
Speaking about the terrorism, Marwat criticised the decision to bring back the TTP militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the decision caused instability in the province.
The entire province is bearing the brunt of this policy as his native area is also grappling with militancy, he said.
“They [the TTP militants] should have been properly rehabilitated. Instead, they were left unattended. Now, they have taken up firearms,” he said, adding that the KP people are facing the repercussions as 70% of the province is facing lawlessness.
Responding to a query regarding the August 22 rally, the PTI leader said that the rally would take place as planned despite all government tactics to stop the party from staging the gathering.
Responding to a query regarding the PTI’s on the same programme, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said that he believed that the party would not be allowed to hold this rally, given their record.
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) activists staged a sit-in peacefully, he said, adding however, none of the PTI rallies have been peaceful. The religio-political party’s protest remained within the limits of Rawalpindi as they were not allowed to enter the federal capital.
