Military probes into ex-spy chief’s alleged misuse of power

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The military has reportedly formed an inquiry committee, headed by a serving major general, to investigate allegations of misuse of authority against former spymaster, retired Lt Gen Faiz Hamid, media reports on Wednesday.

The committee was formed in response to directives from the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Ministry of Defence. The move is seen as a gesture of self-accountability by the military.

The allegations were leveled by the management of Top City, a private housing scheme, who accused the former ISI chief of orchestrating a raid on the offices and residence of its owner, Moeez Khan.

In November of last year, the Supreme Court advised Khan to approach the relevant quarters, including the defence ministry, to redress his grievances against the former spymaster and his aides.

The newly constituted inquiry committee is expected to prepare its report based on its findings and present it to the relevant authorities.

Khan had filed a constitutional petition with the Supreme Court against six intelligence officials, including Lt Gen Hameed.

During a hearing on November 11, 2023, a bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa heard the petition. Khan’s lawyer contended that the agency officials committed crimes against his client on the instructions of Hameed.

The lawyer stated that secret service personnel, along with Rangers officials, raided the house and office of Khan, detained him and his family, and confiscated jewelry and a significant amount of money. False cases were also filed against Khan and his family to pressure them.

During the hearing, the additional attorney general had said the petitioner had other legal avenues for the redress of his grievance. However, on the apprehension that it was hard to get a reprieve because of the officials’ status, the attorney general assured the court that if Khan applied to the defence ministry, the case would be dealt with according to the law. On the assurance, the court had disposed of the notice.

Khan had approached the defence ministry in January this year and an inquiry committee was formed under a major general.