ISLAMABAD – Inter-Services Intelligence, the country’s premier spy agencyhas divulged sensational details regarding the Faizabad sit-in that hadparalyzed the capital city for 22 days with a special focus on thepersonality profile of religious leaders, spearheading the protest.

In its 46-page report submitted before the supreme court of Pakistan, ISIhas stated that Khadim Hussain Rizvi – the wheelchair-bound leader ofTehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA) – is ‘reportedly financiallycorrupt’ and had gathered funds to the tune of Rs 10 million even beforethe start of the protest.

The report, however, states that Rizvi – who spearheaded the protest inNovember last year over the amendment in Election Act 2017 – appears to beliving within his means noting that he has shown an inclination towardsmisuse of power, the authorities, and resources.

Rizvi, who shot to fame with his blunt abuse-laden speeches as he called onthe government to revoke the clause regarding Khatam e Nabuuwat, is alsolisted as being ‘arrogant’ with his superiors, ‘harsh’ with hissubordinates, and ‘committed’ to his cause, however, his overall reputationis ‘unsatisfactory’, as per the findings of ISI.

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

Apart from Rizvi, the spy agency has also analyzed the complete profiles ofthe leadership of the protesters including Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali,and Pir Muhammad Afzal Qadri.

Regarding Dr. Jalali, the report describes him as being dubious, anopportunist, and a manipulator with an overall general reputation‘unsatisfactory’, Express Tribune reported.

‘Jalali violated an agreement with the Punjab government for not holding apublic meeting at Nasir Bagh Lahore in connection with the Mumtaz QadriRehai movement. He is actively involved in sectarian activities,’ statesthe report, apparently tattering apart the reputation of a Lahore-basedreligious scholar.

Interestingly, no negative point has been found in the profile of MuhammadAfzal Qadri despite his controversial speeches, available on social media.

*Nurturing Faizabad sit-in*

The spy agency has highlighted that food to the demonstrators was providedby the owner of the TV station Channel 92, Mian Abdul Rasheed, a prominentbusinessman hailing from Faisalabad.

The report says that generous donations by people from across society,especially the Barelvi sect, helped sustain the protest with a large numberof registered madaris affiliated with the group raising large sums indonations.

‘TLYR sustained the dharna for 20 days due to generous public support.[There were] rumors of organized logistic support to TLYR activistsoccupying Faizabad interchange in terms of food,’ says the report.

Moreover, the report claims that many affluents from across the globe alsocontributed financially while Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh RasheedAhmad, PML-Z chief Ejazul Haq, PTI Ulema Wing Islamabad, and PPP leaderSheikh Hameed also threw weight behind the protesters.

Furthermore, former bureaucrat and political commentator Orya Maqbool Jan’sname has also been included in the list of supporters.

The report has also identified six lawyers and three trade union leaders assupporting the dharna, without specifically mentioning as to how the saidindividuals supported the dharna.

It also reports on a meeting between a British Muslim delegation anddiplomats, a Spanish Muslim delegation meeting dharna participants, andother attendees.

*ISI’s Recommendations Shrugged Off*

The comprehensive report states that the ISI had recommended the federalgovernment to avoid the use of force and resolve the issue peacefullythrough negations with Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLYR).

“Despite ISI’s recommendations to solve the issue politically and avoid theuse of force, an operation against the dharna was launched on November 25,2017, on the orders of the Islamabad High Court. The operation was an utterfailure [and] triggered countrywide protests,” says the report, apparentlygiving a devasting blow to the already embattled Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz regime.

‘The federal government did not independently contact TLYR leaders fornegations when the dharna got prolonged and inaction was observed, however,representatives of ISI engaged both sides and asked them to sit together toresolve the issue,’ says the report.

The ISI has also expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of otheragencies blaming that the special branch of police covered the dharna butrestricted themselves to providing tactical information, strength,participation and other logistic aspects.

‘Intelligence Bureau (IB) remained aloof, as no information or efforts werevisible on the part of this agency,’ observed the spy agency about thecivilian agency administered by the interior minister.

*PM Office Meeting*

ISI has also furnished details about a high-level meeting at the PM officeon November 22 saying it had been decided unanimously to resolve the issuepeacefully and ISI was given a lead role with complete authority tonegotiate.

‘During the meeting, the DG ISI said that even though the sit-in atFaizabad was numerically small, the TLYR had pockets of dedicated andcommitted followers all over the country and peaceful negotiations were theonly way forward,’ according to the minutes of the meeting attached withthe report.

According to the minutes, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanuallah informed themeeting that the Punjab government had followed a policy of restraint toavoid creating a law and order situation and that by November 22,negotiations were the only solution to the problem.

The report also reveals that the Punjab government did not make any attemptto obstruct or negotiate with protesters to stop them from reaching thefederal capital last November.

*Numbers Game*

The total number of Faizabad demonstrators has been gauged between 1,500and 1,800 with locals occasionally joining them, especially on Friday, asper ISI.

*Why Did Faizabad Operation Fail?*

The ISI report on the failure of Faizabad operation, launched on the ordersof Islamabad High Court, highlights that the operation botched due to lackof coordination between police forces of the twin cities and the inabilityof the Rawalpindi police to block reinforcements.

‘Live media coverage of the operation on TV as well as social mediaresulted in mobilization not only in Rawalpindi and Islamabad but acrossthe country as well,’ says the report and adds that religious sentiments ofpolice personnel were exploited by TLYR leadership through their continuousspeeches on loudspeakers.

*Provision Of Electricity*

The top spy agency has outlined in its report that a diesel generator wasinstalled on the main container, while the rest of the power supply wasmanaged using illegal connections to CDA power poles with a CDA standbygenerator in operation as well.

‘The generator on the main container was provided by Wali Sons, Lahore.Reportedly, the daily cost of running the generator was Rs80,000,’ says thereport.

*TLYR’s Political Status*

Giving specific answers to questions raised by the top court in its January3 order, the ISI has replied that TLYR was a registered political party andhad taken part in the recent by-elections where it secured a considerablenumber of votes.

‘TLYR is neither a banned organization nor on the watch list, hence it wasnot placed under surveillance earlier. The organization, like others, ishowever monitored for any extremist tendencies,’ continued the report.

The ISI has admitted that it monitors extremist groups and persons andthose who jeopardize the functioning of the state.

Regarding the monitoring of social media, the report says that as perPakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), the Federal Investigation Agency(FIA) is authorized to monitor internet and social media activity.

Some negative activities are, however, monitored by the ISI in the contextof national security and necessary details are shared with FIA as and whenrequired, added the report.

Let it be known that a two-member bench of the apex court, comprisingJustice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faez Isa, is resuming the hearing of asuo motu case regarding Faizabad sit-in today (Monday). Deputy AttorneyGeneral Sohail Mahmood will appear on behalf of the federal government.