SC terms ISI’s report on Faizabad sit-in unsatisfactory, questions 'ignorance' of spy agency

ISLAMABAD - The supreme court of Pakistan questioned the effectiveness of country's premier intelligence agency ISI in strongly worded remarks, declaring its report on the Faizabad sit-in 'unsatisfactory'.

A two-member bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faez Isa resumed the hearing of a suo motu case regarding the 22-day long sit-in staged by  Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah and expressed their dismay at the comprehensive 46-page report put forth by ISI.

Taking a strong exception to the 'flaws' of the report, Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that ISI was oblivious of the identities of the people. He continued that the ISI — just like the judiciary — was 'answerable to taxpayers'.

'Such report of ISI is scaring me, keeping in view the national security of the country. Even a journalist would have provided better information on the subject' remarked Justice Isa, referring to the report submitted by ISI.

Justice Mushir Alam remarked that the report did not mention the source of income of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the wheelchair-bound leader of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA).

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The deputy attorney general informed the bench that Rizvi was an imam of a mosque (prayer leader) to which Justice Alam inquired whether he operated on the mosque’s charities?

Moreover, the representative of Defence Ministry, Colonel Falak Naaz also endorsed the viewpoint of deputy attorney general regarding the position of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, however, claimed that Rizvi lived on donations.

Justice Faez Isa said he wondered if the man (Khadim Rizvi) who vandalized property worth millions - during the protest staged against the amendment in Election Act 2017 - even paid taxes.

The top court asked how the assets of Rizvi were shown as more than his source of income in the report.

The judges directed the attorney-general to examine the report upon his return to the country.

Moreover, the ISI was directed to submit another extensive report comprising the questions raised by the apex court within a span of two weeks, the time period for which the hearing was adjourned.

Let it be known that the report submitted by ISI had claimed that Khadim Hussain Rizvi was 'reportedly corrupt' in financial terms, however, added that the cleric appeared to be living within his means.

It has also been claimed by the agency that Rizvi had encouraged his followers to either accompany the march or contribute Rs300 per person.