Nawaz Sharif’s Ouster: Khawaja Asif Points Finger at Former ISI Chief Faiz Hameed

Khawaja Asif Blames Former ISI Chief Faiz Hameed for Nawaz Sharif’s 2017 Ouster, Warns More Charges to Follow

Sialkot, Pakistan — Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday accused former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed of orchestrating the 2017 ouster of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, claiming that additional legal cases against the ex-spymaster are expected soon.

The minister’s remarks came days after Faiz Hameed was sentenced to 14 years in prison, following conviction on multiple charges including violations of secrecy laws, misuse of authority, political interference, and causing harm to individuals — marking an unprecedented conviction of a former ISI chief.

Addressing a press conference in Sialkot, Khawaja Asif said the trial against Hameed had continued for 15 months, adding that further legal proceedings would be initiated on additional charges.

“The removal of Nawaz Sharif, the cases filed against him, and the rise of Imran Khan to power were part of a planned conspiracy supervised by Faiz Hameed,” Asif alleged.

‘Project Imran’ and 2018 Elections

The defence minister claimed that Faiz Hameed played a central role in facilitating Imran Khan’s rise to power, referring to the PTI government as “Project Imran”, particularly during the 2018 general elections.

“Faiz Hameed was the most influential figure in that government,” Asif said, alleging that the former spymaster used his position to intimidate political opponents, influence legislation, and interfere in governance.

He further claimed that political imprisonments during PTI’s tenure were carried out under Hameed’s direction, adding that Imran Khan was the main beneficiary of his actions.

May 9 Riots and Institutional Damage

Khawaja Asif also accused Faiz Hameed of involvement in the May 9, 2023 violent riots, alleging that the unrest was planned and coordinated, with PTI workers providing manpower.

“It was a joint venture,” he claimed, adding that the events constituted an attack on the sanctity of Pakistan’s armed forces.

The minister contrasted the unrest with the armed forces’ recent success during Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos against India, which he said had brought international recognition to Pakistan.

Accountability to Continue, Says Asif

Asif asserted that after Faiz Hameed’s transfer from ISI, the alleged political project began to unravel, though he claimed Hameed continued facilitating Imran Khan during his tenure as a corps commander.

In his concluding remarks, the defence minister vowed that the process of accountability would continue, stating that individuals who endangered Pakistan’s future for political power would be held responsible, regardless of whether they wore uniform or civilian attire.