PTI demands release of Faizabad sit-in probe report

Following the exoneration of former ISI Director General Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid by the Faizabad sit-in inquiry commission, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded the immediate public release of the probe report by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa. The PTI also called for action against those responsible for the sit-in and implementation of the commission's recommendations.

The inquiry report, deemed crucial by the PTI, implicated former Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government in the 2017 Faizabad sit-in based on testimonies from ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. The PTI spokesperson demanded Shehbaz's resignation and urged criminal cases against him and his cabinet in line with the commission's findings.

The commission, led by Dr Akhtar Ali Shah, cleared General (retd) Faiz Hamid and former Punjab Rangers director general Major General (retd) Azhar Naveed Hayat of allegations related to distributing money during the protest. It highlighted the role of institutions in national politics but found no evidence linking government officials to the sit-in.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the report's credibility, stating it lacked authenticity and reliability. The commission recommended action against then-Punjab IG Arif Nawaz for dishonesty and misconduct.

The demand for transparency in the Faizabad sit-in inquiry report reflects the ongoing political tensions in Pakistan. While the exoneration of key figures has sparked controversy, the call for accountability and clarity underscores the need for a thorough investigation into the events surrounding the 2017 protest.