Islamabad: Highlighting strong infighting, the Pakistan Army has arrested a retired Lieutenant General and former chief of notorious intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed and initiated court martial proceedings against him ostensibly in connection with a housing scheme scam.
Gen Hameed, once a very influential officer, headed Pakistan’s powerful spy agency from 2019 to 2021.
He had been appointed to the coveted post of ISI Director General after premature and unceremonious removal of Lt Gen Asim Munir, who is now the chief of Pakistan Army.
In fact, the then Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa had removed Lt Gen Munir from the post of ISI DG in mere 8 months, just to pave the way for his close associate Lt Gen Hameed.
The post of ISI DG is the second most powerful position in Pakistan Army after that of the Army Chief.
After Gen Bajwa retired on November 29, 2022 and Gen Munir was appointed as the Army Chief in his succession, Lt Gen Hameed took premature retirement with effect from December 10, 2022.
Lt Gen Hameed reportedly also enjoyed close association with the then Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Interestingly, prior to Lt Gen Hameed’s appointment as the ISI chief, Imran Khan had complained publicly that the spy agency was tapping his phone.
Significantly, Lt Gen Hameed’s role is also suspected in the mass violence that erupted after Khan was arrested on corruption charges in May last year.
This is indicative in the press release issued by the Pakistan military spokesperson Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) which says, “In addition (to the Top City Housing Scheme Scandal), multiple instances of violation of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement have also been established” against Lt Gen Hameed.
It was in April this year that the military reportedly formed an inquiry committee to investigate allegations of misuse of authority by Lt Gen Hameed.
The inquiry was conducted in relation to a controversy surrounding Top City, a private housing scheme.
The housing scheme’s management accused Hameed of orchestrating a raid on the owner’s offices and residence.
After a Supreme Court directive in November 2023, the Top City owner, Moeez Khan, was advised to seek redressal through the relevant authorities, including the Defence Ministry.
According to the Pakistan military spokesman, the inquiry was conducted by the Pakistan Army in compliance with Supreme Court orders.
“Complying with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a detailed court of inquiry was undertaken by Pakistan Army, to ascertain correctness of complaints in Top City Case made against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd),” the ISPR statement said.
“Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd.), under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act,” it said.
“The process of Field General Court Martial has been initiated and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been taken into military custody,” the ISPR said.
