Investigations into ‘fomenting instability’ are currently underway.
ISLAMABAD:
As part of the ongoing court martial proceedings against former spymaster Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, three additional retired officers have been detained for actions deemed “prejudicial to military discipline,” the military’s media wing disclosed on Thursday.
On Thursday, the military’s media wing revealed that three more retired officers have been apprehended for engaging in actions considered detrimental to military discipline, as part of the ongoing court martial proceedings involving former spymaster Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement further noted that investigations into retired officers and their accomplices, accused of fomenting instability in collaboration with political interests, are still underway, suggesting more arrests could follow.
While the military did not release the names or ranks of those detained, reports suggest that the individuals include two retired brigadiers and one colonel, all believed to be close associates of former ISI Director General, Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, according to sources.
This news comes just a day after Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir met with retired army officers, including some former chiefs, to brief them on recent developments. Former army chiefs, General (retd) Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and General (retd) Raheel Sharif, attended the meeting hosted by General Munir, but the absence of his immediate predecessor, General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, was notable. Some reports indicated that General Bajwa’s absence was due to his being out of the country, aiming to dispel any link to the ongoing investigation against Gen Faiz.
This information comes a day after Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir briefed retired army officers, including some former chiefs, on recent developments. General (retd) Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and General (retd) Raheel Sharif, former army chiefs, attended the meeting hosted by General Munir. Notably, General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, his immediate predecessor, was absent. Some reports suggested that General Bajwa’s absence was because he was out of the country, aiming to avoid any connection to the ongoing investigation against Gen Faiz.
These latest detentions follow the recent arrest of Gen Faiz Hameed by military authorities, with court martial proceedings initiated against him on charges of corruption, abuse of power, and violations of the Pakistan Army Act—an unprecedented move in the country’s history.
According to a statement from ISPR on Monday, the court of inquiry into Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, conducted under orders from the Supreme Court, focused on complaints related to the Top City case. As a result, disciplinary actions have been taken against the retired general under the Pakistan Army Act.
The statement also confirmed that multiple violations of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement were uncovered, leading to the initiation of a Field General Court Martial and Gen Faiz being taken into military custody.
Given the powerful role of the ISI chief, the arrest and court martial of the former spymaster are considered highly unusual. The allegations against Gen Faiz date back to May 2017 when he served as DG-C in the ISI.
Earlier this year, a high-level inquiry committee, led by a major general, was formed by the army to investigate the charges against Gen Faiz. This inquiry followed directives from the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Defence.
This marks the first formal investigation into Gen Faiz, who resigned in November 2022, just four months before his scheduled retirement. During his tenure as DG-C and later as head of the ISI, Gen Faiz’s name became embroiled in several controversies, including the Faizabad Dharna case. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accused both Gen Faiz and Gen Bajwa of orchestrating his removal through a Supreme Court decision.
On November 8, 2023, Moeez Ahmed Khan, owner of Top City, filed a petition in the Supreme Court accusing Gen Faiz of misusing his authority. The petition alleged that ISI officials, acting on Gen Faiz’s orders, raided his office and home in May 2017, seizing valuables, including gold, diamonds, and money. Moeez claimed that Gen Faiz later promised to return some items but stated that 400 tolas of gold and cash would not be returned.
The initiation of court martial proceedings against Gen Faiz suggests that sufficient evidence has been gathered against the former spy chief. Reports indicate that his post-retirement activities could also implicate former Prime Minister Imran Khan in further cases.
On Thursday, the imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader distanced himself from the ongoing court martial proceedings against Gen Faiz. In an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail, Imran Khan referred to the former ISI chief as an “asset” who was wasted. He remarked that the military’s investigation into Gen Faiz was an internal matter and had nothing to do with him.
Khan further suggested that if Gen Faiz was being held accountable, then accountability should be applied across the board. He also claimed that former Army Chief General Bajwa removed Gen Faiz at the request of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, adding that his removal had sparked a heated exchange between himself and Gen Bajwa.