The former head of Pakistan Army’s intelligence agency ISI, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Faiz Hameed, has been formally indicted in the court martial case on three counts — engaging in political activities, violating anti-espionage laws, and abusing his authority.
According to ISPR, the media wing of the Pakistan Army, action was initiated against Lieutenant General (R) Faiz Hameed under the Field General Court Martial on August 12.
Faiz Hameed was tried in court martial for involvement in political activities, violation of the Official Secrets Act, harming the interests of the state and abusing his powers, causing harm to countless people.
During the court-martial, an investigation is also being conducted regarding the incidents of chaos and unrest in the country. The ISPR has made it clear that it has also included investigations into incidents related to May 9, 2023, when riots and unprecedented violence against military installations gripped Pakistan following former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest.
It is important to note that Faiz Hameed, the former corps commander of Peshawar was arrested on Aug 12 on the charges of violating the Army Act and misconduct filed by the owner of a private housing society. He was being tried under Field General Court Martial or Military Law.
What was the Housing Society Case?
The private housing development scandal in Islamabad took place in the year 2017. Officials have accused Hameed and his brother arrested and blackmailed the owner of the housing society to forcefully acquire its ownership.
Pakistan’s local press reports also suggest that the owner of the housing society Muiz Ahmed Khan has filed a case against Faiz Hameed in the Supreme Court. After which in November 2023, the Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Aminuddin and Justice Athar Minullah heard the case and referred the complaints against Faiz Hameed to the Ministry of Defense and relevant agencies.
The complainant said that on the orders of Lt.Gen Hameed, members of Pakistan Rangers and intelligence agencies raided the house of Muiz Khan under the pretext of an anti-terrorism operation to blackmail and pressurise him.
The complainant further said that after the raid, an attempt was made to resolve the issue through the mediation of Faiz Hameed’s brother, Sardar Najaf. The contact was made with them through Muiz Khan’s cousin, who was then a serving brigadier in the Pakistani army.
The Supreme Court at that time said that “serious allegations” had been made against Faiz Hameed, and these allegations “cannot be ignored” as they damaged the credibility of the security forces of the country.
Legal scholars and political researchers say that the arrest of the former head of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, Faiz Hameed, and the court-martial proceedings against him have also raised concerns about the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
According to legal scholars, the arrest of Faiz Hameed and the accusations of treason against Imran Khan and rebellion within the army would also be taken to the military court against Imran Khan.
It is said that Faiz Hameed and other military officers can be used as witnesses against Imran Khan in connection with the May 9 incident.
Faiz Hameed: Close Aid of Imran Khan
Faiz Hameed was the former head of the Intelligence Agency (ISI) and also served as the corps commander in the Peshawar and Bahawalpur corps.
He was seen as a staunch supporter of the Afghan Taliban and had backed their takeover in Kabul in the year 2021 after the chaotic exit of the United States. His photograph holding a cup of tea in Kabul became very popular online.
He along with Imran Khan spearheaded the policy of repatriating the militants of Pakistani Taliban who were fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with the Afghan Taliban back to Pakistan. Several delegations from Pakistan went to Kabul in this regard. However, in November 2022, the TTP ended the ceasefire with the government of Pakistan and started attacks against the security forces.
Security experts in Pakistan have blamed this policy as the main reason behind the increased militancy in the country. Last year, Awami National Party leader Amil Wali Khan accused that under the reconciliatory policy of Lt.Gen. Faiz Hameed and Imran Khan, 40,000 armed men were brought back to the country.
The current Muslim League(N) government of Pakistan also accuses the former PM Imran Khan of bringing the militants back to the country and settling them in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This then resulted in increased terrorism in the country.
However, the Tehreek-e-Insaf party has always said that they have negotiated with the TTP but have not brought them back.
