(Web Desk) — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Khan Marwat has voiced his long-standing criticism of former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid, who was recently detained by the military on charges of abuse of power and violating the Army Act.
Speaking on Geo News’ program ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on Monday, Marwat, a lawyer by profession, reiterated his condemnation of Faiz’s actions as the ISI head, particularly his alleged role in victimizing political opponents, harassing them, and fabricating cases against them. Marwat clarified that his views on the matter have remained consistent since his previous appearance on the same program on February 15.
Marwat emphasized that Faiz’s controversial actions had been unfairly attributed to PTI, although the party did not benefit from his conduct. Instead, he asserted that Faiz caused more harm to PTI than any good.
The retired general was arrested on charges related to land grabbing and seizing valuables from the owner of a private housing society. The military’s media wing announced that Faiz is now facing a Field General Court Martial. Following his arrest, three more retired officers were also taken into military custody.
In addition to his criticism of Faiz, Marwat also condemned the decision to allow Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants to return to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), blaming the move for the province’s current instability. He argued that the militants should have undergone proper rehabilitation, but instead were left to their own devices, leading to a resurgence in militancy. Marwat highlighted that 70% of KP is now grappling with lawlessness, and his native area is severely affected.
Regarding PTI’s planned rally on August 22, Marwat affirmed that the event would proceed as scheduled, despite government attempts to prevent it. However, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, in a response on the same program, expressed doubts that PTI would be permitted to hold the rally, citing the party’s history of unrest during past gatherings. He contrasted PTI’s rallies with the peaceful sit-in staged by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) activists, which was confined to Rawalpindi and did not breach the federal capital.
