Three more retired Pakistan Army officers held amid probe into ex-ISI chief

In a stunning revelation earlier this week, the Pakistani military’s media wing announced the arrest of Pakistan’s former all-powerful spy chief, Lt. General (retd) Faiz Hameed, and the initiation of court martial proceedings against him.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) explained in a brief statement that the disciplinary action against the former army officer complies with the Supreme Court’s orders related to a housing society scandal. The case first emerged in 2017 when Faiz was serving as Director General-Counter Intelligence (DG-C). Additionally, he is to be charged with multiple unspecified violations of the Pakistan Army Act committed after his retirement.

Today, the ISPR informed that three more retired officers had also been taken into military custody for “actions prejudicial to military discipline” in connection with the court martial proceedings of Gen Faiz.

“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,” their statement maintained.

The shock waves from this unprecedented action against an ex-ISI chief are continuing to reverberate across the country. Lawmakers and citizens alike are trying to decipher the implications and supposed message behind it.

The allegations

The retired lieutenant general is being charged with misconduct, for using his position to extort money from the owner of the housing scheme (Top City) located in Rawalpindi.

The owner, Mr. Moeez Ahmed Khan, filed a petition under article 184 (3) in the supreme court alleging that on May 12, 2017, ISI and Rangers personnel unlawfully raided his home and took away valuables including jewelry and cash. The general was further accused of forcing the housing scheme owner to transfer the property to his name. During the raid, a Rangers official assaulted Moeez’s nine-year-old son by placing his foot on the child's face and yelling that his father was a terrorist.

The case was heard last year in November by a three-member bench of the SC comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Aminuddin Khan. In its judgment, the apex court declared that the allegations against the ex-army chief were of “an extremely serious nature, and if true, undoubtedly would undermine the reputation of the Federal Government, the Armed Forces, ISI and Pakistan Rangers, therefore, they cannot be left unattended.

‘Controversial service’

The retired general’s service appears to be one for controversies. The most significant allegation against him involves political maneuvering, especially before and after the 2018 general elections when he served as Major General and held the post of DG-C.

Faiz was accused of interfering in judicial matters by retired Justice Shaukat Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The judge alleged that the spymaster was influencing court proceedings by pressurizing and forming benches of choice to hear cases against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, now Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. As a result of these allegations, Justice Siddiqui was dismissed from service.

However, the ex-spy chief denied these accusations in a response submitted to the Supreme Court on Justice Siddiqui’s petition challenging his dismissal. Despite the initial dismissal, Justice Siddiqui’s service was later restored.

The army officer also faced criticism for his alleged role in the 2017 Faizabad dharna staged by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The sit-in was called off after he signed an agreement with the TLP leadership in an unprecedented act.

However, despite all the allegations, Gen Faiz Hameed got promotions and held coveted posts. In 2019, he was made DG ISI by then prime minster Imran Khan. The move came following the unceremonious sacking of the now Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt General Asim Munir as DG ISI by then COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Imran’s request. Gen Munir held the position for only eight months, the shortest stint by any ISI chief. Hameed was later posted as Corp Commander Peshawar and then Corp Commander Bahawalpur. He took early retirement in November 2022 after being superseded by Gen Asim Munir to become the army chief.

ISI and politics

The allegations and the subsequent disciplinary action against the ex-spy chief have reignited the debate about the role Pakistani intelligence agencies play in shaping the country's political destiny. His arrest has set off a wave of speculation and intrigue.

Senior journalist Hamid Mir believes Gen Faiz was influencing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) political strategy. In an interview with the Voice of America, Mir said his arrest would be beneficial for both the PTI and the army. He claimed that Gen Faiz misguided the PTI on the May 9, 2023 riots and influenced the political strategy of the party.

Defense Minister Khwaja Asif thinks: "It’s possible he (Gen Faiz) served as a strategic adviser during the May 9 events. While I can't say this with absolute certainty, the evidence and circumstances suggest his involvement."

Many experts believe that the names of many more abettors will come to light when the court martial proceedings will come to a conclusion.

For a man who once enjoyed significant influence, this fall from grace marks a notable moment in Pakistan's political history and also within its military.