Who is Faiz Hameed? Ex-ISI Chief Faces Historic Court-Martial for Abuse of Power

He was commissioned in the Baloch Regiment and held various significant positions throughout his military career, including General Officer Commanding of the 16th Infantry Division and Commander of the XXXI Corps.

Military Career and Controversies

Important events occurred under Hameed's leadership of the ISI, including a visit to Kabul soon after the Taliban took power in August 2021, during which he famously promised that 'everything will be okay' regarding the situation in Afghanistan. His administration faced allegations of political meddling and judicial manipulation, particularly in the Nawaz Sharif case concerning the Panama Papers.

A power struggle within the government and military led to Hameed's early resignation in late 2022, particularly over the nomination of his successor, Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum. Reports indicate that this disagreement strained his relationship with Imran Khan, the prime minister at the time

Recent Developments

In August 2024, the Pakistan Army filed for a court-martial against Hameed, who is presently detained in military detention. This action comes in response to an order from the Supreme Court over claims that he abused his power in the "Top City" housing project case. In that case, he is accused of planning unlawful raids and extortion against the scheme's proprietor. The military has proven that after retirement, there were several infractions of the Pakistan Army Act, which resulted in his detention and the start of disciplinary actions.

Since this is the first time a former ISI chief has been subjected to a court-martial, the event represents a turning point in Pakistan's military history. While Khan's party has chosen to remain impartial and has presented the situation as an internal military affair, the ruling coalition has generally endorsed the military's actions.

Faiz Hameed, the former chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been arrested and is facing court-martial proceedings primarily due to his involvement in a housing scheme scandal related to the private housing project known as Top City. This action marks a historic first, as it is the first time a former intelligence chief in Pakistan is being court-martialed.

Reasons for Court Martial

1. Allegations of Misuse of Authority: Hameed is accused of orchestrating a raid on the offices and residence of Moeez Khan, the owner of Top City, during which valuables were allegedly seized. This incident reportedly occurred in May 2017, under the pretext of a terrorism investigation.
2. Supreme Court Involvement: The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered a detailed inquiry into the allegations against Hameed in November 2023, stating that the accusations were of an "extremely serious nature" and could undermine the reputation of national institutions if proven true. Following this, the military formed an inquiry committee to investigate the claims.
3. Violations of the Pakistan Army Act: The military's statement indicated that multiple violations of the Pakistan Army Act were established against Hameed after his retirement. This includes actions taken while he was still in service that allegedly involved corruption and abuse of power.
4. Further Investigations: In March 2023, former Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah revealed ongoing investigations into alleged corruption involving Hameed and his brother, Najaf Hameed. Najaf was later remanded in custody related to these investigations.

The initiation of court martial proceedings against Hameed reflects significant developments within Pakistan's military and judicial systems, highlighting the scrutiny faced by former high-ranking officials.