Ex-ISI Chief Faiz Hameed In Military Custody As Pakistan Army Initiates Court Martial Process Over Scandal
Pakistan News: Former ISI Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been taken into military custody for a court-martial concerning the Top City housing scheme scandal.
Former Pakistan intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been taken into military custody as the country's Army initiates the process for his court-martial in connection with the Top City housing scheme scandal, according to the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). This marks a significant development being the first instance in Pakistan's history where a court martial has been initiated against a former spymaster.
“Complying with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a detailed court of inquiry was undertaken by the Pakistan Army to ascertain the correctness of complaints in the Top City case made against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd),” stated the ISPR press release, as reported by Dawn, an English daily in Pakistan.
The statement further added, “Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd), under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act. Multiple instances of violation of the 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.”
An inquiry committee was reportedly formed by the military in April to investigate allegations of misuse of authority by the former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Media reports indicated that the committee, formed as a gesture of self-accountability, was headed by a serving major general. The committee was constituted following directives from the Pakistan Supreme Court and the Ministry of Defence.
In a written order issued on 14th November 2023, the Pak Supreme Court had emphasised that the allegations against the former spymaster were of “an extremely serious nature” and could not be ignored, as they had the potential to undermine the reputation of the country’s institutions if proven true.
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Top City Housing Scheme Scandal
The management of Top City, a private housing scheme, accused Lt Gen Hameed of orchestrating a raid on the offices and residence of its owner, Moeez Khan. The Supreme Court had advised the owner to seek redressal through relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Defence.
The newly formed inquiry committee is expected to present its findings to the relevant authorities based on its investigation.
In March 2024, a Rawalpindi court had sent Najaf Hameed, the former spymaster's brother and a retired naib tehsildar, to Adiala jail on a 14-day judicial remand. The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) in Rawalpindi had registered an FIR against Najaf and others, alleging that they, along with former minister for mineral resources Hafiz Ammar Yasir, acquired properties worth billions of rupees in the name of benamidars, Dawn reported.
Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who opted for early retirement in November 2022, has been a figure of controversy in Pakistan’s political landscape for the past decade. His name first came into the public eye when he played a role in ending the Faizabad dharna by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan in November 2017 through an agreement.
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