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Faizabad commission: Ex-DG ISI Faiz Hamid denies allegations of ‘conspiracy’ against govt

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  • Hamid says held talks with TLP on the government’s direction.
  • Commission sends questionnaire to him after failure to show up.
  • Body set up to follow up on SC’s 2019 Faizabad verdict.

ISLAMABAD: Former director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hamid has recorded his statement before the Faizabad sit-in commission, denying allegations of conspiring against the government, sources told Geo News Thursday.

The former spymaster was summoned by the panel — investigating the 2017 sit-in staged by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) — thrice but he failed to appear before it.

He was then sent a questionnaire by the commission to which he responded and stated that he held negotiations with the TLP on the directions of the government.

According to the sources, the commission had summoned the former army officer on January 2 (Tuesday) but he didn’t appear before the panel.

This was the third time that the former ISI chief remained absent from the hearing being conducted by the inquiry commission, which earlier summoned him in the second week of December last year and then on December 29, sources said. However, the first notice couldn’t be delivered.

In November last year, the caretaker federal government constituted the inquiry commission for the implementation of the Supreme Court’s 2019 Faizabad verdict.

The probe panel was constituted on the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan under the chair of retired IGP Akhtar Ali Shah after the apex court rejected the fact-finding committee report constituted by the government.

On November 15, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that the commission would be empowered to summon anyone, including former army chiefs, prime ministers, and chief justices.

The inquiry commission is required to submit its report to the top court on January 22.

The probe panel had also summoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif on January 3 but he too didn’t appear and requested the commission to send him questions. 

He has now been sent a 21-point questionnaire to answer.

Earlier, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, ex-interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, then-secretary to PM Fawad Hasan Fawad, and other senior officials serving in Islamabad and Punjab who were involved in the episode had appeared before the probe panel.

Faizabad verdict

In November 2017, the top court took suo motu notice of the three-week-long sit-in, which was held against a change in the finality-of-Prophethood oath, termed by the government as a clerical error, when the government passed the Elections Act 2017.

The sit-in was called off after the protesters reached an agreement with the government.

On February 6, 2019, a two-member bench of the apex court comprising the now-CJP Isa and Justice Mushir Alam recommended that persons, issuing an edict or fatwa to harm another person or put another person in the harm’s way must be dealt with iron hand and prosecuted under relevant laws.

It also ruled that the intelligence agencies must not exceed their respective mandates. Later, the bench disposed of a suo moto case regarding the 2017 Faizabad sit-in staged by the TLP.

The 43-page verdict issued by the two-judge bench and published on the apex court’s website read: “Every citizen and political party has the right to assemble and protest provided such assembly and protest is peaceful and complies with the law imposing reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order.

“The right to assemble and protest is circumscribed only to the extent that it infringes on the fundamental rights of others, including their right to free movement and to hold and enjoy property.”

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The bail petition of Parvez Elahi in the Jinnah House attack case has been rejected by the ATC.

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A bail application filed by Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) party, in the Jinnah House attack case has been rejected by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on the grounds of prematurity.

ATC Judge Arshad Javed announced the decision during today’s hearing.

The counsel representing Parvez Elahi contended that there was a significant likelihood of his client being arrested in relation to the Jinnah House attack case. It was stated that the ex-Chief Minister had previously been held in custody on judicial remand in other cases.

The petitioner requested the court to authorise the release of Parvez Elahi on bail in the Jinnah House attack case.

Nevertheless, the prosecution argued that the bail petition did not meet the necessary legal criteria, emphasising that Parvez Elahi had not been apprehended in connection with the case.

Considering these considerations, the court rejected Parvez Elahi’s request for release, stating that it was premature since he had not been arrested in the Jinnah House attack case.

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Iran has officially announced a period of national mourning following the tragic death of Raisi in a helicopter crash.

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The state-run news agency IRNA has reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has announced a period of five days for the entire nation to grieve the untimely death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident.

Khamenei paid a respectful homage by sharing a photograph of himself with Raisi on X, previously known as Twitter, and included a remark alluding to Imam Reza, the highly esteemed eighth imam of Shia Islam.

Mohammad Mokhber, the First Vice President, has been appointed to supervise the executive branch of the government. He will serve in this role temporarily for a period of 50 days, during which a new presidential election must take place. Mokhber has committed to perpetuating Raisi’s trajectory and guaranteeing the seamless execution of governmental responsibilities.

“As per Article 131 of the constitution, Mokhber has been appointed to lead the executive branch,” stated Khamenei. He further mentioned that Mokhber will collaborate with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to make arrangements for the upcoming presidential elections, with a deadline of 50 days.”

According to IRNA, Ali Bagheri Kani has been designated as the interim foreign minister following this unfortunate event. The remains of Raisi are currently being brought to Tabriz, however, specific information regarding his funeral plans has not yet been provided.

An unusual conference, encompassing all three levels of the Iranian government, was convened on Monday in response to the tragedy. Mokhber served as the representative of the executive branch, while delegates from the legislative and judiciary branches were also present.

“During the meeting, Mokhber assured that we will adhere to President Raisi’s directives and carry out our assigned responsibilities without any disruptions.” As to the constitution of the Islamic Republic, the first vice president is authorised to temporarily take the position of president with the agreement of the Supreme Leader. Subsequently, a new president is to be elected within a period of 50 days.

Global leaders have offered condolences and conveyed their profound grief and sympathy with the people of Iran in response to this tragic occurrence. While the country grieves, plans are being made to commemorate Raisi’s accomplishments and facilitate a seamless transfer of power.

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Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, the former Prime Minister of AJK, has been apprehended by authorities.

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Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, the ex-prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has been apprehended by the Margalla Police in Islamabad.

Ilyas was apprehended by the authorities following the registration of a case against him at the Margalla Police Station, as stated by the police spokeswoman.

The police officials have accused Ilyas of committing six grave offences, which include assaulting the premises of a private enterprise.

The spokeswoman verified the arrest, stating that Ilyas was apprehended following a comprehensive investigation and subsequent legal actions.

This event follows the filing of a case against Ilyas, accusing him of being involved in the assault on a private company’s office.

The individual has been apprehended by law enforcement and will be subjected to investigation and subsequent legal procedures.

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