Maryam Nawaz accuses ISI chief of 'orchestrating' her conviction in corruption case

In a big embarrassment for Pakistani military, PML(N) vice president Maryam Nawaz accused ISI chief Faiz Hameed of orchestrating her conviction in a corruption case. Leing campaign for 'civilian supremacy', three-time Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were convicted by an accountability court in Avenfield reference case on July 6, 2018, and sentenced to 10 years and 7 years in prison respectively. Though Islamab High Court suspended ir sentence and granted m bail in September 2018, her chance to enter Parliament was thwarted.

Though her appeal against her conviction is pending before Islamab HC, she filed a fresh application seeking annulment of verdict in  Avenfield reference case. Nailing Pakistani military's interference in politics which is evident from fact that t a single PM has completed his 5-year tenure since 1947, she claimed that entire case reeked of "political engineering". To buttress her point, she highlighted former Islamab HC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui's affidavit in which he accused military establishment of trying to influence verdict against her and ex-PM.

Faiz Hameed reportedly met him twice, predicted outcome of judgment against far-daughter duo and tried to convince him to obey military's desire. Moreover, ISI he allegedly indicated to Siddiqui that Pakistani Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa was actively involved in this conspiracy and revealed that he was removed from division bench scheduled to hear appeal of PML(N) leers owing to fear that he will rule in ir favour. In October 2018, Pakistan's Supreme Judicial Council sacked him as a judge finding him guilty of "misconduct".

In her application, Maryam Nawaz also highlighted purported video of Arsh Malik, judge who handed down verdict in corruption case. This video showed Malik mitting that re was "immense pressure" on him to convict accused in  Avenfield reference case. Reiterating that verdict was a clear mockery of justice, she asserted that benefit of doubt must go to accused. 

Opposition to military's interference

Pakistan's opposition parties including PML(N) have alleged that 2018 General Election was rigged before and on counting day at behest of military establishment. For instance, polling nts of various parties were reportedly thrown out during counting process, thus casting doubts on legitimacy of Imran Khan becoming Prime Minister. In recent times, Maryam Nawaz has been at forefront of opposing  role of Pakistani military in influencing political decisions.

Opposing Pakistan's nefarious role in Afghanistan, she told media on September 8, "Pakistan must respect will of Afghan brors and sisters. As Afghanistan is a sovereign country, Pakistan should t impose its decision on m. We must t interfere in ir internal matters. Inste, we must stand with international community and assist in rehabilitating Afghan civilians who have been victims of a long-standing war and help m in rebuilding nation."