Lt Gen Faiz Hameed violated military rules at behest of political elements: DG ISPR

General Faiz Hameed overstepped legal and constitutional boundaries at behest of certain political elements: DG ISPR

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The Field General Court Martial (FGCM) proceedings initiated against Lt Gen (R) Faiz Hameed, demonstrate the Pakistan Army's robust self-accountability mechanism, according to Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.

The military’s spokesperson made these remarks during a press conference on Wednesday, addressing issues of national security and ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

Chaudhry affirmed that the Pakistan Army is committed to its apolitical stance and has no political biases, maintaining a unified consensus on its non-political role.

"The case of Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed is a clear example that the army takes violations of its rules very seriously."

"General Faiz Hameed overstepped legal and constitutional boundaries at the behest of certain political elements," DG ISPR stated.

The army’s accountability system, DG ISPR noted, ensures that any personnel involved in misconduct, including political interference, is held responsible.

The military, he stressed, does not follow political agendas nor support any political parties.

The spokesperson added that the court martial proceedings against Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed are ongoing, with further legal actions expected in the coming days.

Earlier last month, the ISPR had announced that former spymaster Lt Gen Faiz Hameed had been detained and court martial proceedings were initiated against him on charges of corruption, misuse of authority and violating the Pakistan Army Act. 

The military later announced that three more retired officers were taken into custody for their actions "prejudicial to the military discipline"

"Further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continuing," according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announcing the detentions.

Case against former ISI chief

Given the powerful position of head of the Inter Services Intelligence, it is seen as unusual that the former spymaster was not only arrested but court martial proceedings have been initiated against him.

The charges against Gen Faiz dates back to May 2017 when he was DG-C in the ISI.

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 Ministry of Defence.

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 headed the spy agency. His name surfaced in many controversies, including the Faizabad Dharna case.

Three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif named him and Gen Bajwa as the main characters behind his removal through a Supreme Court decision. 

On November 8, 2023, Moeez Ahmed Khan, the owner of Top City, filed a petition in the Supreme Court in which he accused Gen Faiz of misusing his authority.

The petition filed by Moeez in the Supreme Court stated that on May 12, 2017, on the behest of General Faiz Hameed, ISI officials raided the top city office and his house.

During the raid, valuables, including gold, diamonds and money, were seized from the house by ISI officials, the petitioner alleged.

The petition also stated that Gen Faiz later personally met him to resolve the issue, in which he assured that some of the items which had been taken away by the ISI officials during the raid would be returned.

However, 400 tolas of gold and cash will not be returned to him.

The fact that court martial proceedings have already begun against Gen Faiz means that there is enough evidence against the former spy chief.

There are reports that Gen Faiz's activities post-retirement may implicate former prime minister Imran Khan in more cases.

The jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader on Thursday distanced himself from the ongoing court martial proceedings his Gen Faiz.