LAHORE
Prominent hardline commentator and self-styled ‘Defense Analyst’ Zaid Hamid has been sentenced for eight years and 1,200 lashes for criticizing Saudi government, according to circles close to Mr. Hamid and in touch with recent developments in his case.
Mr. Hamid was detained by Saudi authorities during his private visit to the Kingdom. Reports suggest that he made speeches against the Saudi government at a function two weeks ago and was arrested for lashing out against Arabs.
After being reported by several Pakistani websites, the news spread like wild fire on Pakistani social media stirring a highly charged debate between his zealous supporters and foes .
However, a confirmation from Pakistani embassy in Riydah couldn’t been received.
Earlier, Hamid was arrested during a private visit to the Kingdom with his wife. He was apparently taken into custody after making speeches against the Saudi government.
“Our embassy in Riyadh has informed us that Mr Zaid Hamid was arrested about two weeks ago. Since then, the embassy has been working with the local authorities to get consular access,” Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah told a news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.
“Due to the efforts of the embassy, his wife was able to talk to him. Again, due to the efforts of the embassy, his wife will be able to meet with him on 30 June,” he said without giving further details.
In 2013, a former aide who left Hamid’s organisation accused him of being on the payrolls of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency to wage psychological operations against those opposed to the Pakistani security establishment.
Syed Zaid Zaman Hamid is a political commentator and defence analyst in Pakistan. He appears on different TV talk shows and regularly subjects Indian spy Agency Research Analysis Wing (RAW) for fomenting violence and sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan.
A number of Pakistani journalists, civil society members, writers and Islamic scholars have criticized Hamid and described his views on politics and security as “conspiracy theories”.
Article was originally found in Daily Pakistan.
