Former spymaster Lt General (retired) Faiz Hameed has told the Faizabad sit-in commission on Thursday that he negotiated with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan on the instructions of the government.

Lt General (r) Hameed, who served as the DG Inter-Services Intelligence from 2019 to 2021 recorded his statement infront of the commission on Thursday, sources said. However, it is not clear if he appeared infront of the commission in person.

Hameed reportedly denied the impression that he had been part of a conspiracy against the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz government in 2017.

The commission is looking into the Faizabad sit-in under Doctor Akhtar Ali Shah. Former IG Tahir Alam and Khushal Khan are also part of the commission.

The commission had been formed after the Supreme Court rejected an inquiry committee set up by the government to look into the 2017 sit in.

Formed in November, the commission was bound by the SC to submit a report within two months.

Hameed was a high ranking officer in the ISI at the time of the sit-in which had paralysed the twin cities and led to sever clashes between TLP and police.