The Faizabad sit-in Inquiry Commission’s report, submitted to the government and apex court, has concluded that there was no substantial evidence implicating any institution in the notorious sit-in incident.
Led by former AIG KP Dr. Akhtar Ali Shah and including former IG Tahir Alam and Khushhal Khan, the commission presented its 243-page report, absolving former intelligence chief General (r) Faiz Hameed of any wrongdoing, stating that he operated within the government’s directives.
While the responsibility for failing to disperse the sit-in was attributed to the then Shehbaz Sharif-led provincial government, he was not directly named in the report.
The inquiry didn’t find any substantial evidence that could link the former DG ISI Lt Gen (r) Faiz Hameed and former DG Rangers Maj Gen Naveed Azhar Hayat to the sit-in.
Various officials, including former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, current IB chief Fawad Asadullah, and others, provided statements for the report. However, only former PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam voiced allegations against Hameed.
The commission’s recommendations include the establishment of a code of conduct for intelligence agencies, with the Intelligence Bureau designated for internal security matters. Military intelligence agencies are urged to refrain from involvement in civilian affairs.
Moreover, the report criticised the Punjab government’s failure to address the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) effectively, attributing this to political considerations.