Daily Times

Former intelligence chief retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed has been formally indicted on “charges of engaging in political activities”, the military’s media affairs wing said on Tuesday.

The development comes almost four months after the army announced the arrest of and Field General Court Martial (FGCM) proceedings against Gen Hameed, the previous head of the premier Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, on allegations of violating the Army Act.

According to a source, Gen Hameed was taken into custody from Rawalpindi when he was summoned for a meeting by a senior military official.

The move, prompted by allegations of misconduct levelled by the owner of a private housing society, shattered the long-standing perception that spy chiefs were untouchable in the country where generals have long wielded unparalleled influence.

The army had cited a November 2023 directive from the Supreme Court, which instructed Kanwar Moeez Khan, owner of Islamabad’s Top City housing society, to seek redressal of grievances against Gen Hameed through relevant channels, including the Ministry of Defence, as the basis for initiating action against the former spymaster.

In a press release today, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) recalled that the process of FGCM was initiated against Gen Hameed under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act on August 12.

“[…] And in first place Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been formally arraigned on charges of engaging in political activities, violations of Official Secret Act detrimental to safety and interest of the state, misuse of authority & government resources and causing wrongful loss to a person(s),” it stated.

“During the process, involvement of Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (retd), in events related to creating agitation and unrest, leading up to multiple incidents including but not limited to 9th May 2023 incident for fomenting instability; at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests, is also being separately investigated,” the statement noted.

The May 9, 2023 incident refers to countrywide violent protests last year that were prompted by the arrest of former premier Imran Khan in a corruption case, during which approximately 40 public buildings and military installations were damaged.

“Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (Retd) is being afforded with all legal rights as per the law,” the ISPR said.

On August 15, the military announced the arrest of three more retired officers in connection with court martial proceedings against former spymaster Hameed.

The ISPR had noted that more retired officers and their associates were being probed for allegedly inciting instability in collaboration with and on behalf of a political entity with vested interests.

The ISPR did not initially disclose the identities of the three officers who were taken into custody. However, media reports claimed they were identified as retired Brig Ghaffar, a former deputy director general for projects at ISI; retired Brig Naeem Fakhar, a former officer commanding; and retired Col Asim.

Brigadiers Ghaffar and Fakhar were also implicated in the SC petition filed by the owner of Top City Housing Society. The petition accused the two of extorting Rs40 million and coercing the sponsorship of a private TV channel.

At the time, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had hinted at more arrests, saying: “Investigations are underway in the Faiz case. More arrests are likely which can be in the army and elsewhere.”

In September, ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had said court martial proceedings against Gen Hameed had been initiated based on “concrete evidence”.

In a separate case, the SC in October asked the Islamabad administration to provide a complete record of an illegal society in Sector C-12 called ‘Northridge Housing Society’, which allegedly encroached upon the Margala Hills National Park.

It sought the details after it was informed by the lawyer that the owners of this scheme had a close relationship with Gen Hameed.