The Faizabad sit-in inquiry commission has exonerated former Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt. Gen (Rtd) Faiz Hameed, according to reports emerging from Islamabad. The commission’s report spans 149 pages and was formed following the Supreme Court’s directives, establishing a three-member panel chaired by former Inspector General (IG) Syed Akhtar Ali Shah. The other members included former IG Tahir Alam and senior officer of Pakistan Administrative Service, Khushal Khan.
Reportedly, the commission has scrutinized the factors surrounding the Tehreek-e-Labeek Pakistan’s (TLP) sit-in at Faizabad and has provided recommendations accordingly. The media reports indicate that the inquiry commission’s findings have implicated various entities such as the Islamabad Police, Ministry of Interior, Punjab Government, ISI, Intelligence Bureau (IB), and former Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
The report highlights that as Major General DG (C) ISI, Faiz Hameed was authorized by the then DG ISI and the Army Chief to sign the agreement pertaining to the sit-in. Additionally, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal were reportedly in concurrence with Faiz Hameed’s signature.
Emphasizing the importance of implementing all points of the National Action Plan, the commission stressed addressing weaknesses in the police’s command and control system. It noted that failures in government policy, as evidenced by the Faizabad sit-in, could exacerbate such events.
The commission criticized the Punjab government for permitting the TLP march from Lahore to Islamabad and cited a lack of coordination between the twin cities’ police forces, resulting in casualties and injuries during the sit-in. Furthermore, the report accuses the federal government of enlisting the ISI to engage with protest leadership, leading to a dispersal agreement reached on November 25, 2017.
Moreover, it highlights the government’s failure to counter social media propaganda and threats made against military officers, Nawaz Sharif, and ministers during the sit-in. The report underscores that the military’s involvement in civilian matters tarnishes institutional credibility and recommends a hands-off approach from the military and intelligence agencies in public affairs.
The commission also criticized the Punjab government for negligence, urging a strategic focus on peace to combat faith-based violence. It advocates for upholding constitutional principles, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, with a zero-tolerance policy against violent extremism. Additionally, the commission suggests deploying police officers to troubled areas before their assignment to Islamabad, while asserting that public order remains the government’s responsibility, with minimal interference from other sectors.
