Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Khan Marwat has criticized former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (Retd) Faiz Hamid, claiming that his actions caused more harm to PTI than any benefit. Marwat made these remarks during an appearance on Geo News’ program “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath” on Monday.
Marwat, who is also a lawyer, stated that he has always condemned Gen Faiz’s actions during his tenure as the ISI chief. He criticized Faiz for targeting political opponents, harassing them, and filing cases against them. Marwat emphasized that these actions were wrongly attributed to PTI, which did not benefit from them at all.
Gen (Retd) Faiz Hamid was recently detained by the military over allegations of land grabbing and misuse of power. The military has also initiated a Field General Court Martial against him. Following his arrest, three more retired officers were also taken into custody.
Marwat also spoke out against the decision to allow Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants to return to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), stating that this has led to increased instability and lawlessness in the province. He noted that 70% of KP is now facing lawlessness, with many areas, including his own, struggling with militancy. Marwat criticized the lack of proper rehabilitation for the returning militants, which he believes has contributed to the current situation.
Regarding the upcoming PTI rally scheduled for August 22, Marwat asserted that the rally will go ahead despite government efforts to prevent it. He predicted that KP’s participation in the rally would be the largest.
On the same program, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar expressed doubts that the PTI rally would be allowed to proceed, citing the party’s history of unrest during previous gatherings. He compared the PTI’s rallies to those of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), noting that JI’s protests have remained peaceful and within Rawalpindi’s limits, unlike PTI’s rallies.