Ex-DG ISI gets clean chit in Faizabad sit-in case due to 'lack of evidence'

The inquiry commission formed to investigate the 2017 Faizabad sit-in by a political party gave a clean chit to the former Director-General ISI, Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, due to a 'lack of evidence'.

The former armyman had signed a six-point agreement with protest leaders, which resulted in the resignation of former Law Minister Zahid Hamid. 

It has also absolved Rangers Director General, Major General Naveed Azhar Hayat of charges, who had distributed money among the sit-in participants. In his response to the inquiry, Hayat maintained that the money was distributed to help the protesters return home.

The inquiry report underscored the importance of reforms that would reduce military involvement in civilian affairs, while strengthening the capabilities of the police and intelligence bureau.

The commission was headed by former IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, and IG Tahir Alam and senior officer of Pakistan Administrative Service Khushal Khan were members of the commission.

According to sources, the report stated that Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed signed the agreement with TLP demonstrators under the authorisation of the former Army Chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa. 

Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal also endorsed his signature. Except for former PEMRA chairman Absar Alam, no other person testified against Faiz Hameed.

However, the commission report attributed the responsibility for allowing the sit-in to escalate into chaos and violence in Islamabad to the then Punjab government, led by Shehbaz Sharif. However, the report did not explicitly mention the name of the former CM Punjab.

It has recommended taking action against the former Punjab Inspector General, Arif Nawaz, for providing false information and engaging in misconduct during his testimony before the commission.

Since no evidence linking intelligence agencies to the TLP demonstration could be provided by those involved in the probe, the report failed to establish any direct involvement of government officials.

Although the commission was mandated to identify the responsible parties, it has recommended action against individuals held accountable in a 243-page report submitted by Punjab and Central governments.

It also suggested to proceed cases against TLP protesters.

The federal government's agreement with the TLP on November 25, 2017, was criticised by the commission as an inappropriate approach to tackling religious extremism, citing past instances.

The commission also proposed the reformation of the PEMRA Council of Complaints and the enactment of strict laws against provocative content on broadcast media to curb extremism. Additionally, it emphasised the full implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP).