ISLAMABAD: The Faizabad Dharna Inquiry Commission has exonerated former ISI DG Lieutenant General (R) Faiz Hameed.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the report of the Faizabad Dharna Inquiry Commission spans 149 pages.
Established pursuant to directives from the Supreme Court, the Faizabad Dharna Inquiry Commission was chaired by former IG Aftab Ali Shah.
Examining the activities surrounding the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)’s Faizabad Dharna, the three-member inquiry commission, headed by former IG Aftab Ali Shah, formulated recommendations.
The report delved into the roles of Islamabad Police, Ministry of Interior, Punjab government, ISI, and IB, as well as matters concerning former Law Minister Zahid Hameed.
It was disclosed in the report that Faiz Hameed was to sign the contract as Major General DG (C ) ISI, with permission granted by the then Army Chief and DG ISI.
Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan and former Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal were reported to have consented to Faiz Hameed’s signature, according to the Faizabad Dharna Inquiry Commission.
The report stressed the full implementation of the National Action Plan and highlighted the necessity to address deficiencies in the police’s command and control system.
Furthermore, the report underscored the importance for policymaking institutions to draw lessons from the Faizabad Dharna, attributing incidents like it to governmental policy flaws.
The Commission’s report revealed that rather than halting the TLP march in Lahore on November 25, the Punjab government permitted their advance to Islamabad, resulting in casualties and injuries due to inadequate police coordination in the twin cities.
According to the report, the federal government enlisted the ISI’s assistance in engaging with the protesters’ leadership during the Faizabad Dharna.
It was noted in the report that Shahbaz Sharif served as Chief Minister of Punjab during the Faizabad Dharna, and no blame was directed towards any institution or officials by the national leadership.
The report cautioned against military or agency interference in civil matters, stressing that such intervention undermines institutional functioning. It advocated for the avoidance of military involvement in public affairs, asserting that the responsibility for handling public affairs lies with the IB and civil administration.
The report attributed negligence and weakness on the part of the Punjab government to the ensuing bloodshed.
In order to quell violence rooted in beliefs, the report advocated for peace to be pursued as a strategic objective, while upholding state governance, the constitution, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Among its recommendations, the Commission proposed the pre-deployment of police officers in challenging areas before their assignment to Islamabad, emphasized the government’s responsibility for public safety, urged other sectors to refrain from interference, and deemed a zero-tolerance policy essential in combating extremism.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
