Faiz Hameed responsible for Nawaz’s removal in 2017
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday claimed that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed was directly responsible for the removal of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from office in 2017, alleging coordinated political and judicial interference during that period.
Speaking to reporters in Sialkot, Asif said that Hameed played a central role in what he described as a conspiracy that led to Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification and paved the way for the rise of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. He alleged that the former intelligence chief worked closely with certain political figures to influence outcomes within the judiciary and the political system.
The defence minister said that Hameed’s actions, along with those of his political allies, caused serious damage to Pakistan’s democratic institutions and undermined public trust in the electoral and judicial processes.
Asif’s remarks come days after Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed was sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment by a Field General Court Martial following a 15-month trial under the Pakistan Army Act. The former ISI chief was convicted on multiple charges, including engaging in political activities, misuse of authority, and actions deemed detrimental to the state.
Khawaja Asif indicated that further charges would be filed against Hameed, saying broader accountability was necessary to address the long-term consequences of decisions taken during that era. He added that the impact of those actions would continue to be felt across the country for years.
The defence minister’s statements have once again brought civil-military relations and the role of security institutions in political affairs into sharp focus. The 2017 disqualification of Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court remains one of the most controversial moments in Pakistan’s political history, continuing to shape debate over accountability, governance, and democratic norms.
