'Gen Faiz and Saqib Nisar were in contact'

ISLAMABAD: Former DG ISI Lt Gen (R) Faiz Hameed, who is presently in military’s custody, and ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar were in contact with each other.

Informed sources said that a probe by the authorities confirmed they were in contact. However, it is not explained what the nature of their interactions was – if it was simply a social relationship or had some political or criminal aspect.

As against the statement of some ministers and politicians, these sources also have not confirmed as yet the involvement of Gen Faiz or Saqib Nisar in the May 9 attacks.

Background interaction with quarters concerned, however, shows that Saqib Nisar is also in the radar of authorities. These authorities insist that they have found some material against the former chief justice. As against the social media speculation that Saqib Nisar will also be taken into custody upon his return from abroad, no hint was given by these sources about the authorities’ intention to arrest the former CJP.

The nature of “material”, the authorities claimed to have found so far against Saqib Nisar, is different and not connected with what is generally discussed these days in the media, social media and by politicians and ministers belonging to the ruling coalition about the retired chief judge of the country.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that PTI founder chairman was the mastermind of the plot against the solidarity of the country and the recently arrested persons including Lt Gen (R) Faiz Hameed were his accomplices.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday, Tarar said, “Be it Saqib or Nisar, the scope of the investigation will expand as things unfold after the arrest of Gen Faiz.”

Recently, rumours on social media claimed that ex-CJP Nisar fled to London and that he could be arrested in the wider inquiry related to the arrest of former ISI chief but the former top judge rejected such speculations.

Speaking to Geo News, Saqib Nisar denounced the recent flurry of social media news that his absence may be linked to the arrest of Gen Faiz and confirmed that he was in London on annual planned holidays. Besides Tarar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently said that it was his “political conclusion” that Gen Faiz had a role in identifying and pointing out the locations of military installations that were attacked by PTI workers and leaders on May 9. In the entire process, he said, Gen Faiz directly or indirectly gave his opinion and remained part of the decision-making.