Pakistani Ex-ISI Chief Faiz Hameed Taken Into Custody: Court Martial on the Horizon"

Pakistan Army Arrests Former ISI Chief Faiz Hameed: Court Martial Proceedings Launched

In a remarkable development, the Pakistan Army has announced the arrest of former ISI Chief Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed and the initiation of court martial proceedings against him, in relation to a scandal involving a housing scheme.

Arrest and Court Martial Proceedings

On Monday, the Pakistan Army made headlines by revealing that it has detained Faiz Hameed, who previously led the ISI from 2019 to 2021. This action follows a comprehensive inquiry ordered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to investigate allegations against Hameed linked to the Top City housing scheme scandal.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army's media division, issued a statement confirming that the inquiry was conducted to verify the claims made against Hameed. As a result of this investigation, the army has decided to pursue disciplinary actions against Hameed under the Pakistan Army Act. The statement also highlighted that several breaches of the Army Act by Hameed post-retirement were discovered, leading to his current military custody and the commencement of a Field General Court Martial.

Background of Faiz Hameed

Faiz Hameed was a powerful figure during his tenure as ISI chief, a position he held from 2019 until 2021. His appointment came after the abrupt removal of Lt Gen Asim Munir, which was reportedly influenced by then-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s dissatisfaction with Munir. Hameed's subsequent replacement was a contentious issue, with Khan opposing the move, which some believe contributed to the deteriorating relations between Hameed and the military establishment.

The Top City Scandal

The Top City scandal surfaced when Moeez Ahmed Khan, the owner of the Top City housing project, filed a petition with the Supreme Court on November 8, 2023. Khan accused Hameed of abusing his power, alleging that on May 12, 2017, Hameed directed ISI officials to raid his office and home. The raid reportedly led to the seizure of valuables including gold, diamonds, and money. Khan claimed that Sardar Najaf, Hameed's brother, later contacted him to address the issue and that Hameed himself met with Khan to resolve the situation. Khan also alleged that the officials extorted ₹4 crore from him.

Judicial and Military Actions

The Supreme Court's three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, Justice Attar Minullah, and Justice Aminuddin, decided to forward the case to the Ministry of Defence for further investigation. In response, the army established a high-level inquiry committee, led by a major general, to delve into the allegations.

Faiz Hameed retired prematurely in November 2022, four months before his scheduled retirement, following the appointment of the current army chief. His early retirement and his close ties with former Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa are notable in the context of the ongoing investigation.

Significance of the Case

The role of ISI chief is one of immense significance in Pakistan, given the military's extensive influence over security and foreign policy matters. The arrest and court martial of Faiz Hameed represent a significant development in Pakistan's military and political landscape, reflecting ongoing efforts to address and rectify allegations of misconduct and abuse of power within the armed forces.