- If Bajwa is summoned by court, he’ll have to appear: sources
- Prosecution against Faiz currently presenting its witnesses.
- Sources say ex-spy chief is physically fit and in good health.
ISLAMABAD: Will the former army chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa be called to testify as a defence witness in the court martial proceedings against Lieutenant Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid, the former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)? The legal team representing the former spymaster has denied any decision on the matter so far.
Former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz was arrested on August 12, 2024. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) later confirmed that a field general court martial (FGCM) had been initiated against him. On December 10, the retired general was formally indicted, and his trial in the military court officially began that day onward.
Sources claim several hearings of Faiz’s FGCM have taken place so far. The prosecution is currently presenting its witnesses, after which the defence team will call its witnesses.
The sources also confirmed that if Bajwa is summoned by the court, he will appear, as he is legally obligated to do so.
The former spymaster has attended every hearing of the FCGM, as it is mandatory for the accused. The sources also claim that the ex-spy chief is physically fit and in good health.
The News reached out to Faiz’s lead counsel, Mian Ali Ashfaq, to confirm whether the list of defence witnesses has been finalised and to ask how long the FGCM is expected to take before a verdict.
Below is the detailed conversation between The News and Faiz’s lead counsel that took place on WhatsApp messages.
The News asked Ashfaq about claims by some legal experts familiar with court martial proceedings, who believe it could take over a month to reach a verdict in Faiz’s FGCM due to the time required for cross-examination of prosecution and defence witnesses. Responding to the question, Ashfaq said: “Only those with personal knowledge of the case or awareness of the case policy can comment on it.”
He further said that “cross-examination is a routine procedure, and it naturally takes time”.
Lt Gen (retd) Faiz’s counsel was also asked if the list of defence witnesses had been finalised and who would be presented in his defence. To this, Ashfaq replied: “Once the prosecution presents its full evidence, we will decide on our witnesses. We will make our decision about the defence witnesses after the prosecution completes the recording of its witnesses. It’s still an early stage, and the stage for presenting defence witnesses has not arrived yet”.
The News also asked if Faiz or his legal team would invite Bajwa as a defence witness. Ashfaq responded with saying: “I am not deciding anything in haste. It’s all about the developments in the case and the relevance of such witnesses based on those developments. We also need to consider whether it will support our case or not, as it could be counterproductive. A lot of deliberations and calculations will be made before finalising the decision.”
When asked about media reports claiming the legal team had decided to present Bajwa in Faiz’s defence counsel Ashfaq said: “Trust me, I am hardly in touch with any media person. It’s just the creation of their own imaginations about defence witnesses.”
He further explained: “It all depends on the proceedings and prosecution witnesses. Whether a retired or incumbent witness will be called for the defence will be decided later.”
Originally published in The News
