Former director general of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) Bashir Memon has alleged that Prime Minister Imran Khan had asked him to register terrorism cases against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and her husband Muhammad Safdar -- a directive he refused.
In an interview with journalist Matiullah Jan, Memon revealed that the prime minister wanted to implicate the PML-N leaders in the terrorism cases in 2018 over a picture of the first lady being floated on social media by the PML-N's social media cell. He said nothing in the picture could attract the terror charge, but the PM still wanted Maryam and Safdar to be tried for spreading terror.
Memon said he was called in by the 'highest office' of Pakistan and asked to book the two politicians on terror charges. However, 'I told them that we have to work in accordance with the law', the former FIA head disclosed.
Memon had resigned from his post in November last year after his transfer was approved by the prime minister 10 days before his retirement. He wrote a letter to the Secretary Establishment, saying it is against 'etiquette to transfer a government official, who is about to retire'.
“It is a usual courtesy not to post out any officer nearing retirement. I have been denied this courtesy, which, in my opinion, is an expression of displeasure towards me. I tender my resignation from service,” read the resignation letter of Memon, addressed to the Secretary Establishment.
Express Tribune at the time reported that there was pressure on Memon to set up cases against the opposition leaders which he refused to succumb to.
Earlier this week, Gujranwala police booked PML-N leader Muhammad Safdar for allegedly inciting ‘hatred against the Pakistan Army’ and threatening to topple the government forcefully.
According to a report in Dawn, the PML-N leader and son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and another PML-N lawmaker were booked in a sedition case on Saturday. According to the FIR, in a meeting at the residence of PML-N member Usman Khalid Butt, Safdar allegedly talked about ‘toppling the provincial and federal government through forceful protests’.
Butt, who is a provincial lawmaker, was also nominated in the FIR that was registered under sections 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 120(b) (punishment of criminal conspiracy), and 124(a) (sedition) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The FIR further alleged that Safdar, who is also the husband of party vice president Maryam Nawaz, ‘defamed and incited hate’ against the armed forces. It alleged that Safdar told his supporters to besiege the house of the corps commander if he was arrested.
According to the FIR, the PML-N leader’s ‘aim was to disturb public peace’. Furthermore, Safdar said that the permission for a public rally on October 16 will have to be obtained ‘by force’.
In an interview with journalist Matiullah Jan, Memon revealed that the prime minister wanted to implicate the PML-N leaders in the terrorism cases in 2018 over a picture of the first lady being floated on social media by the PML-N's social media cell. He said nothing in the picture could attract the terror charge, but the PM still wanted Maryam and Safdar to be tried for spreading terror.
Memon said he was called in by the 'highest office' of Pakistan and asked to book the two politicians on terror charges. However, 'I told them that we have to work in accordance with the law', the former FIA head disclosed.
This is a shocking revelation!!
"Imran Khan asked my to book Maryam Nawaz Sharif and her husband under TERRORISM charges which I refused"
Ex DG FIA.#DGFIAExposesImranKhanpic.twitter.com/GRSNgOhlMP
— Saadi-fy (@theironicirony) October 6, 2020
Memon had resigned from his post in November last year after his transfer was approved by the prime minister 10 days before his retirement. He wrote a letter to the Secretary Establishment, saying it is against 'etiquette to transfer a government official, who is about to retire'.
“It is a usual courtesy not to post out any officer nearing retirement. I have been denied this courtesy, which, in my opinion, is an expression of displeasure towards me. I tender my resignation from service,” read the resignation letter of Memon, addressed to the Secretary Establishment.
Express Tribune at the time reported that there was pressure on Memon to set up cases against the opposition leaders which he refused to succumb to.
Police register case against Safdar
Earlier this week, Gujranwala police booked PML-N leader Muhammad Safdar for allegedly inciting ‘hatred against the Pakistan Army’ and threatening to topple the government forcefully.
According to a report in Dawn, the PML-N leader and son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and another PML-N lawmaker were booked in a sedition case on Saturday. According to the FIR, in a meeting at the residence of PML-N member Usman Khalid Butt, Safdar allegedly talked about ‘toppling the provincial and federal government through forceful protests’.
Butt, who is a provincial lawmaker, was also nominated in the FIR that was registered under sections 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 120(b) (punishment of criminal conspiracy), and 124(a) (sedition) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The FIR further alleged that Safdar, who is also the husband of party vice president Maryam Nawaz, ‘defamed and incited hate’ against the armed forces. It alleged that Safdar told his supporters to besiege the house of the corps commander if he was arrested.
According to the FIR, the PML-N leader’s ‘aim was to disturb public peace’. Furthermore, Safdar said that the permission for a public rally on October 16 will have to be obtained ‘by force’.