The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday announced that former ISI chief Lt. Gen. (retd.) Faiz Hamid has been taken into military custody and the process of Field General Court Martial against him initiated.
“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. (retd.) Faiz Hameed,” read a statement issued by the military’s media wing.
“Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt. Gen. (retd.) Faiz Hameed under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act,” it said. “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. (retd.) Faiz Hameed has been taken into military custody,” it added.
In April, the Army had constituted a high-level inquiry committee headed by a major general to look into allegations of Lt. Gen. (retd.) Faiz Hameed misusing his authority while in office. The decision was a result of Top City housing society owner Moeez Ahmed Khan filing a petition in the Supreme Court on Nov. 8, 2023 in which he accused Hameed of misusing his authority.
According to the petition, ISI officials had raided the offices of Top City, as well as Khan’s house, on May 12, 2017, at the behest of Hameed. During the raid, he alleged, valuables, including gold, diamonds and money were seized from his house by ISI officials.
The petitioner alleged further that Sardar Najaf, the brother of Faiz Hameed, had also contacted him to resolve the issue later, adding that Faiz had also personally met him and assured him the confiscated items would be returned. However, he alleged, 400 tolas of gold and cash were not returned, while a further Rs. 4 million in cash were extorted from him.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faiz Isa had taken up the case, observing it was a very serious matter. It had observed that the serious nature of the allegations may damage the image of the entire institution and the matter could not be ignored. The Supreme Court had then directed the attorney general of Pakistan to look into the matter and discuss with the relevant authorities. Subsequently, the Army had constituted an inquiry committee to look into the matter.