Faiz Hameed’s verdict an internal matter: KP chief minister

RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that the punishment handed to former DG ISI Faiz Hameed was an internal matter of the relevant state institution. He said the issue should be viewed strictly through legal procedures rather than being politicised.

Speaking to the media, the chief minister said he had arrived at Adiala Jail to meet the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, but authorities did not allow him to enter. He added that the PTI founder consistently speaks about strengthening Pakistan and its state institutions.

Afridi said that if the decision-makers believe dialogue is necessary, they should initiate talks, as the PTI founder has authorised Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas to lead negotiations. “We will stand with Mehmood Khan Achakzai in every decision,” he stated.

Criticising the authorities, he said stopping an elected CM from meeting the PTI founder despite court orders is unconstitutional. He added that the treatment of the PTI founder’s sisters two days ago was carried out on the instructions of the Punjab government.

Afridi further claimed that the PTI founder and his wife are being kept in jail without justification, while individuals with what he described as a “verified record of corruption” have been imposed on the country. He said accountability would be ensured once their government comes to power.

The chief minister added that the performance of the current government is “zero,” saying the country’s economic crisis has pushed young people to the point where they feel compelled to leave Pakistan.