In a move that has sent shockwaves through Pakistan, the Pakistan Army on Monday announced the arrest of former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed and the initiation of court martial proceedings against him in connection with a housing scheme scandal. This unprecedented action marks a significant development in the country’s military and judicial history.
According to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, a thorough court of inquiry was conducted following orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The inquiry aimed to investigate complaints related to the Top City Case, in which Lt Gen Hameed was implicated.
The ISPR stated, “Complying with the orders of the 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 inquiry reportedly uncovered sufficient evidence to warrant disciplinary action. The ISPR added, “Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd.), under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act.”
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Moreover, the inquiry also revealed multiple violations of the Pakistan Army Act by Lt Gen Hameed after his retirement. As a result, the process of a Field General Court Martial has been initiated, and Lt Gen Hameed has been taken into military custody, the statement confirmed.
Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed, who served as the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from 2019 to 2021, was considered one of the most powerful figures in Pakistan during his tenure. He was appointed to the prestigious post following the premature removal of then-ISI chief and current Army chief, Lt Gen Asim Munir, a move that reportedly displeased then-Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Hameed’s replacement later on was met with strong opposition from Imran Khan, which is believed to have contributed to the deterioration of Khan’s relationship with the military.
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The scandal that led to Hameed’s downfall revolves around the Top City case, which gained public attention on November 8, 2023. Moeez Ahmed Khan, the owner of Top City, filed a petition in the Supreme Court accusing Hameed of abusing his authority. In his petition, Khan alleged that on May 12, 2017, ISI officials, acting on Hameed’s orders, raided his office and home, seizing valuables including gold, diamonds, and cash. The petition further claimed that Hameed’s brother, Sardar Najaf, later contacted Khan to resolve the issue, and that Hameed himself met with Khan in an attempt to settle the matter. Khan alleged that ISI officials extorted Rs 4 crore from him.
The case was heard by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, which included Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, Justice Attar Minullah, and Justice Aminuddin. The court decided to refer the case to the Ministry of Defence for further investigation. In response, the army announced in April that it had formed a high-level inquiry committee, led by a major general, to investigate the allegations against Hameed.
Lt Gen Hameed took premature retirement in November 2022, four months before his scheduled retirement, following the appointment of the current army chief. He was known to be close to former Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa.
The position of ISI chief is regarded as one of the most influential roles in the Pakistan Army, which has played a dominant role in the country’s governance for much of its history. This latest development has raised questions about the military’s internal dynamics and the extent of accountability within its ranks.
