Islamabad – The arrest of former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hameed has been described by Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan as an “internal issue” of the military. Hameed, who served as the ISI’s director general from 2019 to 2021 during Khan’s tenure, has been accused of political meddling, a claim Khan dismisses as unrelated to his party.

Khan’s legal representative, Intezar Panjutha, conveyed Khan’s stance following a meeting with his senior lawyers at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. According to Panjutha, Khan views Hameed’s arrest as a purely military matter, asserting that it has no connections to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party or Khan himself. Panjutha emphasized that there was no political involvement between Khan and Hameed, countering claims that Khan had directed the former general’s actions.

Khan also alleged that General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the former army chief, had replaced Hameed as part of a deal with Nawaz Sharif. This development, Khan suggested, could indicate political motivations behind the military’s actions.

In addition, Khan hinted that if Hameed’s arrest was linked to the unrest of May 9, it might be an opportune time to form a judicial commission to examine CCTV footage from that day. Khan has urged his supporters to protest peacefully, advocating for freedom and expressing concern over Pakistan’s current conditions. He compared the nation’s situation to that of Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for judicial and political reforms.

Panjutha also highlighted Khan’s concerns about increasing pressure on the Supreme Court and disillusionment among the youth. He mentioned that Khan believes Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa should consider stepping down, pointing to the recent loss of three PTI seats as an indication of political disenchantment.

Hameed’s detention, which is being followed by court martial proceedings, stems from charges of corruption, misuse of authority, and violations of the Pakistan Army Act. This unprecedented move underscores the significant political and military implications of Hameed’s arrest.

The situation remains fluid, with political and military developments likely to shape Pakistan’s landscape in the coming days.