There is concrete evidence available that proves jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and his political leaders gave orders to ex-Inter-Services Intelligence director general Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed, Brigadier (retd) Haris Nawaz said on Tuesday.

“He was implementing those orders,” he said while appearing on Spotlight with Munizae Jahangir which was aired on Aaj News. “A strong military is a symbol of a strong federation.”

Earlier in the day, the military’s media wing said that former chief of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed has been formally indicted on “charges of engaging in political activities”.

“[…] And in first place Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been formally arraigned on charges of engaging in political activities, violations of Official Secret Act detrimental to safety and interest of the state, misuse of authority & government resources and causing wrongful loss to a person(s),” the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.

The ISPR’s Tuesday press release said: “During the process, involvement of Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (retd), in events related to creating agitation and unrest, leading up to multiple incidents including but not limited to 9th [of] May 2023 incident for fomenting instability; at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests, is also being separately investigated,” the statement noted.

The May 9 event refers to countrywide violent protests after the arrest of former premier Imran Khan in a corruption case from the premises of Islamabad High Court. At least 40 public buildings and military installations were damaged.

Nawaz claimed that other brigadiers and colonels were involved in it.

When asked, he said that the development reiterates that the law bars army officers from engaging in any kind of political activity for two years from the date of their retirement. The former army man warned that the matter is “serious” if it is violated.

JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza, who was also on the show via video link, reiterated that any law or punishment should not be person-specific.

“If this trial is made on the principle that no one will interfere in politics, then we appreciate it. Despite that, I never liked Faiz Hameed, but choosing specific people won’t benefit the system. Do what is on principle. There should not be pick and choose,” he said and claimed that matter related to Hameed was “pick and choose.”

While speaking about the trial of former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, he said that the accused did not even appear in court and got the acquittal. “This has never happened in any case and his trial was very difficult.”

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Another guest on the show, PML-N leader Qamarul Zaman said that the military trial for PTI founder could start if a nexus between the person who provoked the attack on sensitive buildings and the former spymaster was found.

PTI leader Umair Niazi was of the view that the government would create a problem for itself amid concerns from the international community and legal authorities.

“They don’t know about the kind of projection they are giving to Imran Khan,” he said.

When asked, he said that the party would register the first information report over the killing of its party leaders in firing on November 26. “We are working on the FIR. Neither we can exaggerate the number nor the can government hide it. The truth will prevail.”