General Faiz's court martial, General Bajwa's testimony not decided, legal team, former DG ISI

ISLAMABAD (Fakhar Durrani) Will Pakistan’s former Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa be summoned as a defense witness in the court martial proceedings of former ISI chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed? The legal team representing General Faiz has so far denied any decision on the matter. Former DG ISI Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed was arrested on August 12, 2024. Later, the ISPR confirmed that the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) has been formally initiated against him. On December 10, the retired general was formally indicted, and his trial officially began in the military court from that day.

Sources have claimed that several hearings of General Faiz’s Field General Court Martial (FGCM) have been held so far. The prosecution is currently presenting its witnesses, after which the defense team will call its witnesses. Sources also confirmed that former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will appear if summoned by the court, as he is legally bound to appear. The retired general has attended every hearing of the Field General Court Martial, as it is mandatory for accused facing court martial to do so. Sources also claimed that General Faiz is physically fit and in good health. The News contacted General Faiz Hameed’s lead lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq to confirm whether the list of defence witnesses has been finalised or not, and also how long the court martial proceedings will continue till the verdict is announced. Below is a detailed conversation between this correspondent and lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq via WhatsApp messages. This correspondent asked Mian Ali Ashfaq about the claims made by some legal experts familiar with the court martial proceedings. These experts believe that the court martial verdict of General Faiz Hameed may take more than a month due to the time required for cross-examination of prosecution and defense witnesses. In response to a question, Mian Ashfaq said, “Only those who have personal knowledge of the case or are aware of the policy of the case can comment on it. Cross-examination is a routine procedure, and it takes time.” General Faiz Hameed’s lawyer was also asked whether the list of defense witnesses has been finalized and who will appear in his defense. Mian Ali Ashfaq replied that when the prosecution presents its complete evidence, we will decide on our witnesses. We will take our decision on defense witnesses after the recording of the prosecution witnesses is completed. This is still an initial stage, and the stage of presenting defense witnesses has not yet come.

This correspondent also asked Mian Ali Ashfaq whether General Faiz Hameed or his legal team will call General Qamar Javed Bajwa as a defense witness? Mian Ashfaq replied, "I am not making any hasty decision. The matter is about the progress of the case and the consistency of the witnesses as a result of that progress. We also need to consider whether this will prove beneficial for us or not because it can also prove detrimental to us. There will be a lot of deliberation before finalizing the decision." When asked about such media reports thatIt is being claimed that the team of lawyers has decided to present General Bajwa in defense of Faiz Hameed, so Mian Ali Ashfaq said, "Believe me, I am hardly in contact with any media person. These people are creating lists of witnesses for themselves. Everything depends on the proceedings of the case and the prosecution witnesses, the decision to call any retired or serving witnesses will be taken later."