By - News Beat
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged a close partnership between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and former ISI chief General (Rtd) Faiz Hameed, which has led to a nationwide crackdown. A fierce political debate has erupted. Speaking to reporters, Asif claimed that the two cooperated strategically during Khan's tenure as prime minister, suggesting that their alliance significantly influenced national politics and state institutions.
"Their partnership was strategic and not just political," Khawaja Asif said. "This nexus affected governance and undermined the democratic process in Pakistan. The consequences of their actions are still visible today.
The defense minister accused the former army officer of acting beyond his constitutional role, alleging that Faiz Hameed helped consolidate PTI power by influencing elections, the judiciary and administrative decisions. He added that this partnership contributed to PTI's rise to power and subsequent challenges in governance.
Demanding accountability, Asif also hinted at a possible investigation into the alleged partnership. He said that the people of Pakistan deserve to know the truth about abuse of power and manipulation in institutions.
The PTI leadership immediately dismissed Khawaja Asif's allegations as baseless and politically motivated. The party spokesperson accused the ruling coalition of diverting public attention from important issues like inflation, unemployment and economic crisis.
These are nefarious attempts to tarnish the reputation of PTI and Imran Khan. Such claims have no basis and are being used as a smokescreen to cover up the government's failures,” the spokesperson said.
Broader implications
Political analysts believe that this conflict indicates a deeper problem of civil-military relations in Pakistan. Alleged interference by military authorities in political affairs has been a recurring theme in the country's political discourse, often leading to tensions between democratic institutions and the establishment.
This statement by Khawaja Asif reflects the ongoing blame game. However, it also raises important questions about the role of state institutions in maintaining neutrality and supporting democracy,” said Dr Ayesha Khan, an Islamabad-based political analyst.
As the political environment in Pakistan is riddled with allegations, these allegations have fueled the fire. With general elections on the horizon, the narrative of civil-military partnership is expected to dominate the conversation, further polarizing the country's political landscape.
For now, the nation waits to see if these claims will lead to a substantial investigation or remain another chapter in Pakistan's turbulent political history.