ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz Sharif has demanded that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)’s former director-general Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed should be court-martialled because he engaged for two years to topple the PML-N government and later ‘backed’ Imran Khan’s government for four years that detrimentally took a toll on the country
In an exclusive interview with Wenews, Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif who is also the PML-N chief organiser, said that the former DG ISI should be made an example (for others) over his extra-constitutional role so that no one could dare to resort to such folly in the future.
“I knocked on the court’s door against Gen Faiz Hameed when he was the head of the ISI. I submitted the entire evidence along with the petition in court. The major evidence (in the petition) was the former general’s visit to the house of Islamabad High Court’s former judge Shahukat Aziz Siddiqui, and asked him to punish Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz and not approve their bail,” she said, adding that Siddiqui said on camera that when he asked how come you (Gen Faiz) know that the father and the daughter duo will be sentenced, he (Gen Faiz) said “they have worked for two years on that.”
Maryam Nawaz says no institution should be targeted
Maryam Nawaz said that Gen (retd) Faiz should face a ‘court martial’ and he should be made an example for others for his two years of ‘hard work (to topple the PML-N government) and helping Imran Khan cling to power for four years so that nobody could dare to resort to such an adventure.
She said that “Vote Ko Izzat do” (respect the vote) public awareness drive was the befitting punishment for those who attempted to introduce the hybrid system.
Maryam Nawaz believed that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif rendered sacrifices and made people believe that everything was expedient within the ambit of the constitution and anyone who does anything outside the purview of the (constitution) should pay the price for it.
Talking to Wenews, Maryam Nawaz made it clear that she only criticizes such elements that play an unconstitutional role but did not favour targeting any particular institution.
“Only one or two individuals damage an institution’s reputation through their unbecoming acts and institutions should also take action against such individuals and hold them accountable for their wrong deeds. Because of such elements, fingers are being raised against institutions. Institutions should also take action against such individuals and they should be held accountable for their crimes,” she said adding that this will “improve the respect and reputation of institutions.”
Imran’s criticisms of former army chief ‘cowardness’
Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s criticism of the former army chief (Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa) was sheer cowardness.
When asked that the PML-N continues to target Gen Faiz Hameed, but its criticism of former army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa was fizzling out over time, Maryam Nawaz replied, Nawaz Sharif named him (Gen Bajwa) during a public gathering when he was in service. She said that no one could deny the contribution of Nawaz Sharif as he (Nawaz) named them all (including Gen Bajwa) when they were on the same page and at their peak.
She said that Imran Khan was all praise for Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa until he supported and backed his government. We now see how Imran Khan attacked him (Gen Bajwa) after he retired.
“This is a sign of cowardness that you criticise the outgoing chief and beg the blessings of the new chief,” she said.
We still openly name those in service
While recalling the public address of Nawaz Sharif in Gujranwala in 2020, she said, “I still proudly remember the day when Nawaz Sharif publicly named those who were on the same page and the whole stadium was abuzz with the public slogan from one corner to the other.
“The awareness created by that public address of (Nawaz Sharif) was very much palpable and the courage instilled among the people against those who were in power at that time was conspicuous and Nawaz has a contribution in it,” she said.
She said that the issues being faced by Pakistan and its political system today were identified by the PML-N when they (all those who were on the same) were in full control of power with full authority.
The audio leak of judges lay bare the truth
Maryam Nawaz said that the story of the truck in the audio leak is not just the story of the truck and it has a background. “In the leaked audio, Pervaiz Elahi is taking the judge’s name, seeking to fix the case before him. Elahi also stated in the audio that he wanted to visit the judge’s home. “It sheds light on the fact that these relations are very old and strong,” she said.
“It’s not just about a truck, meeting, or bench fixing. It not only laid bare the truth but also stamped the truth which has been in front of the public for a long time,” she said.
The PML-N leader said that whenever the PML-N files a petition or faces a trial, the same benches are formed to hear such cases and it becomes palpable and people know what kind of decision will come from such benches. “This whole conspiracy is now exposed as very few people, but not all very well knew about such shenanigans, but when now this whole episode came to the fore, people now have understood that there are two standards of justice: one for the PML-N and one for the other ‘party.’
How will judges be held accountable?
Regarding the accountability of the judiciary, she said that public accountability is necessary because until there was no awareness among the public there was no accountability. “It is our job to identify the double standards in the judicial system. The fate of this country is not in the hands of political parties, but it is the 222 million people who are actual stakeholders. People should know what is happening in this country. When something comes out in public, you cannot run away from it. Only this way, institutions come under pressure and they should and the black sheep and those who slander institutions should be identified and held accountable. No one is above the law and whoever does that (breaches the law) will have to pay the price.
Meeting with Gen (retd) Bajwa
When asked if she ever met with former chief justice Saqib Nisar, Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and Gen Faiz Hameed, Maryam Nawaz said she probably never met Saqib Nisar. “When he (Gen Bajwa) first showed up at the Prime Minister’s House after becoming chief, I met him and his family was also with him.”
‘Saqib Nisar is still active’
Terming former chief justice Saqib Nisar the biggest “national culprit”, she said he was still active.
“Today I was watching his (Saqib Nisar) statement and the things he is talking about now. He is still active today, but as much as he lies, the nation knows about it. But I think Saqib Nisar is the biggest culprit of the nation and the reason for this is that he sat on the highest chair of justice but got instructions from a colonel and a brigadier, and Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed issued instructions to him and he never refuted meeting him,” she said
Maryam Nawaz said that Saqib Nisar did not only do grave injustice to the nation and the elected prime minister (Nawaz Sharif), but he also thrust upon the nation an incompetent, corrupt, and wicked person. He (Nisar) imposed him (Imran Khan) upon the nation and gave him the certificate of Sadiq and Amin.
She said that Saqib Nisar now could not go to public gatherings and face people. When he goes to attend weddings, he hides from people. “This is the biggest punishment but I believe, the nation cannot progress, and the country cannot be put on the path of progress unless such characters are punished and made an example for others,” she said.
