Fazlur Rehman Backtracks On Gen Faiz’s Involvement In Imran Khan’s Ouster

In an attempt to set the record straight, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), issued a clarification on Friday regarding his recent statements implicating former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Faiz Hameed in the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. This clarification follows a day after Fazlur Rehman made bold claims in an interview, asserting that the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan was orchestrated under the directives of ex-army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The political landscape of Pakistan witnessed a significant shift in April 2022 when the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), led by Shehbaz Sharif, successfully removed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Subsequently, the PDM assumed control of the country for 16 months before handing over governance to the caretaker government.

Read more: PTI Team Visits Fazlur Rehman’s Residence

During the interview, Fazlur Rehman disclosed a conversation with Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid, claiming that Hamid advised him to work within the established system. According to Fazlur Rehman, Hamid conveyed that any opposition efforts should remain within the parliamentary framework and not extend to street protests. However, Fazlur Rehman asserted that he disregarded this advice, opting for a more assertive approach. Despite his rejection of Hamid’s counsel, Fazlur Rehman acknowledged that later on, several parties, including the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and others, withdrew their support from the PTI-led government.

In a candid admission, the JUI-F chief acknowledged that he mistakenly mentioned Faiz Hamid’s name during the interview, acknowledging that it was a slip of the tongue. This acknowledgment raises questions about the accuracy of the initial statements made by Fazlur Rehman, adding an element of uncertainty to the narrative.

Following Fazlur Rehman’s interview, both General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed promptly rejected the allegations made against them. This swift denial from two prominent military figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation, creating a stark contrast between Fazlur Rehman’s claims and the military’s official stance.

The unfolding events underscore the intricacies of Pakistan’s political landscape, where power dynamics between the civilian government and the military have long been a subject of speculation and debate. Fazlur Rehman’s clarification attempts to rectify his earlier statements, but the conflicting responses from military officials leave room for continued speculation and scrutiny.

As the political climate in Pakistan remains tense, with the aftermath of the no-confidence motion still reverberating, the accuracy of statements and the credibility of sources become crucial elements in understanding the dynamics at play. The nation awaits further developments to shed light on the true orchestrators behind the political upheaval that transpired in April 2022.