Reported By: Manoj Gupta
CNN-News18
Former ISI chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed has been arrested by the military ahead of his court-martial, in connection with the Top City housing scheme scandal. His arrest follows a broader investigation that has also led to the detention of three additional retired military officers. These officers are being held for actions deemed detrimental to military discipline, sources informed CNN-News18 on Thursday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan’s armed forces, issued a statement revealing that investigations are ongoing into these officers and their alleged involvement in activities that destabilized the country, allegedly with the backing of political figures.
Hameed’s arrest took place on Monday, as he prepares to face trial in a court-martial, marking an unprecedented move in Pakistan’s history. It is the first time a former intelligence chief has been subjected to such a legal process. This move comes in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which had expressed concerns over serious allegations against Hameed that could undermine the integrity of Pakistan’s institutions.
Serving as the head of the ISI from 2019 to 2021, Hameed was often seen as a close ally of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who appointed him to the position. Hameed has faced accusations of meddling in political affairs at Khan’s behest, which added fuel to the controversy surrounding his career.
The Supreme Court had previously ordered a probe into Hameed’s actions, acknowledging the “extremely serious nature” of the allegations against him. The court’s ruling indicated that if proven, these allegations could damage the reputation of Pakistan’s federal government, military, ISI, and the Pakistan Rangers.
In response, the Pakistan Army established a committee in April to investigate Hameed’s alleged abuse of authority. One of the key accusations involves Hameed’s involvement in orchestrating a raid on the Top City offices and the residence of the scheme’s owner, Moeez Khan. Khan’s legal representatives claim that Hameed seized significant assets, including gold, diamonds, and cash, during the raid, which they say was part of an alleged terrorism investigation.
The controversy began in 2017, when Moeez Khan filed a petition, accusing Hameed of orchestrating the raid under false pretenses. The court directed Khan to seek redress from the Ministry of Defence, with the top court expressing concern over the alleged misconduct. Further complicating the matter, Hameed’s brother, Sardar Najaf, is said to have mediated in attempts to resolve the dispute.
The arrest and ongoing investigation of Faiz Hameed and other military officials signal a significant chapter in Pakistan’s efforts to address corruption and misconduct within its military and intelligence services.