Names of retired officers taken into military custody revealed

The names of three senior retired military officers taken into custody for their roles in facilitating unauthorised communications between political figures and former DG ISI Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed have been disclosed.

According to sources, the officers, Brigadier (retd) Ghaffar and Brigadier (retd) Naeem, were allegedly involved in a covert operation to aid political liaisons.

Both Brigadiers, hailing from Chakwal, were considered close associates of General Faiz, previously engaging in political messaging and facilitation even after their retirement.

Earlier, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the actions of certain retired army officers and their accomplices, who are suspected of fomenting instability in collusion with vested political interests, are currently being investigated.

These suspects are believed to have acted at the behest of political entities, compromising military discipline, the statement further said.

The ISPR further said that three retired officers are currently in military custody, in connection with the court martial proceedings of Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed.

The military is continuing its probe into the involvement of these officers and others in activities detrimental to national stability.

In an unprecedented move earlier this month, former Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Gen (r) Faiz Hameed was detained by military authorities and court martial proceedings were initiated against him on charges of corruption, misuse of authority and violating the Pakistan Army Act.

The charges against Gen Faiz dated back to May 2017, when he was the DG-C in the country's premier intelligence agency.

"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), read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

"Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt General Faiz Hameed (retd), under provisions of Pakistan Army Act. In addition, 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 statement added.

In April, the Army constituted a high-level inquiry committee headed by a major general to look into the allegations against Gen Faiz. The inquiry was ordered in pursuant to the orders of the Supreme Court and in the light of the directives of the defence ministry.

This was the first formal inquiry ordered against Gen Faiz, who resigned in November 2022 – four months before his retirement date. Gen Faiz served as DG C in the ISI and later served as the director general of the spy agency.