Ex-ISI chief Faiz Hameed arrested for court martial trial

RAWALPINDI: Former ISI Chief, General (Retired) Faiz Hameed has been taken into custody for a court martial trial.

The retired general, who previously led Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, is now under investigation for alleged misconduct during his service, the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

The arrest marks a significant move, reflecting the military’s commitment to accountability within its ranks.

Details of the charges remain undisclosed, but sources suggest they pertain to actions taken during his tenure. The court-martial process will determine the extent of his involvement and any potential violations of military law. This case has garnered widespread attention, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of high-ranking officials.

“Complying with the orders of 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). Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd), under provisions of Pakistan Army Act,’ read the press release issued by ISPR.

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“In addition, multiple instances of violation of Pakistan Army Act post retirement have also been established. The process of Field General Court Martial has been initiated and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been taken into military custody,” it added.

The arrest follows a high-level inquiry initiated in April, led by a major general, to investigate claims that Hameed misused his authority while serving as ISI director general. The inquiry was ordered in line with a Supreme Court directive and the Ministry of Defence’s instructions, according to sources familiar with the matter.

That markerd the first formal investigation against Hameed, who resigned in November 2022, four months before his scheduled retirement. Hameed, who served as DG-C within the ISI before heading the agency, has been embroiled in several controversies, most notably the Faizabad Dharna case.

Three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had publicly accused him, alongside former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, of orchestrating his ousting through a Supreme Court ruling.

On November 8, 2023, Moeez Ahmed Khan, the owner of Top City, filed a petition in the Supreme Court accusing Hameed of abuse of power.

According to the petition, on May 12, 2017, ISI officials, allegedly on Hameed’s orders, raided the Top City office and Khan’s residence, seizing valuables including gold, diamonds, and cash.

The petition further claims that Hameed’s brother, Sardar Najaf, later approached Khan to settle the matter, followed by a personal meeting with Hameed, who reportedly promised the return of some items seized during the raid but stated that 400 tolas of gold and cash would not be returned.

The petitioner also alleges that ISI officials extorted Rs4 crore in cash from him.

Given the gravity of these allegations, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, along with Justices Attar Minallah and Aminuddin, is overseeing the case.

The Supreme Court had expressed concern over the potential impact of these allegations on the institution’s reputation and has directed the Attorney General for Pakistan to liaise with relevant authorities regarding the matter.