By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military has taken former intelligence chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed into custody and initiated a court martial over his alleged involvement in a housing scheme scandal, the army’s media wing said on Monday.
Hameed, who headed the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, is accused of orchestrating a raid on the offices and residence of Top City housing scheme’s owner, Moeez Khan, and allegedly extorting money and valuables.
“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),” the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The ISPR added that “appropriate disciplinary action” had been initiated against Hameed under the Pakistan Army Act, and that “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.”
The move marks a rare instance of a former spy chief facing a court martial in Pakistan.
The Supreme Court, in November last year, ordered an inquiry into the allegations against Hameed, saying they were “of an extremely serious nature” and could not be left unattended.
“The allegations are of an extremely serious nature, and if true, would undoubtedly undermine the reputation of the federal government, the armed forces, ISI, and Pakistan Rangers; therefore, they cannot be left unattended,” the court order said then.
The top court had asked the owner of the housing society to approach the relevant quarters, including the defence ministry, for the redressal of his grievances against the former spymaster and his aides.
General Hameed had opted for early retirement after the government of former Prime Minister Imran Khan was toppled in a parliamentary vote in 2022.
Hameed was among six senior generals considered for the top two military posts, with his name sent to then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval in November 2022.
The Bahawalpur Corps Commander previously held the same position in Peshawar. However, his tenure was marked by criticism from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, who accused him of influencing their convictions and backing Khan’s government.
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