Khawaja Asif discloses that ex-ISI chief Faiz Hameed gave targets for May 9.

Following the release of more information on May 9, 2023, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif described the events as a “full coup” directed by Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed, the former head of Inter-Services Intelligence.

In addition to providing the targets for May 9, 2023, Asif clarified that Faiz Hameed, a former corps commander in Peshawar, was instrumental in shielding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from the no-confidence motion that ultimately resulted in his removal.

In an attempt to protect the PTI leader amid his political demise, the defense minister said that Faiz Hameed had specific goals during the purported coup attempt.

Asif’s remarks represented one of the first allegations made in public linking a retired senior military officer to the political unrest following the fall of the PTI administration.

The Minister also talked about General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, the former head of the army, saying that General (retd) Ijaz Amjad, Bajwa’s father-in-law, had made it easier for him to be appointed to the position by reportedly paving the way.

On May 21, 2018, Khawaja Asif further asserted that former army chief Gen. Bajwa had extended an invitation for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz to depart the nation. Asif claims, however, that Nawaz Sharif vehemently declined the offer and the suggested withdrawal from politics.

Furthermore, he proposed that a military court handle Imran Khan’s case.