Pakistan Army Set Probe Against Faiz Hameed: Faiz Hameed, former chief of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), is in a bad situation. The Army on Wednesday, April 17, constituted a high-level inquiry committee headed by a major general to probe allegations against Lieutenant-General (retd) Faiz Hameed that he misused his authority as ISI director general.
This is the first formal investigation against General Faiz. He resigned in November 2022, four months before his retirement date. According to the report of Pakistani newspaper Tribune, an investigation has been ordered against Hameed following a Supreme Court order and instructions from the Defense Ministry. Hameed is accused of looting valuables including gold, diamonds and money in the name of raids.
Faiz Hameed remained in controversies
Faiz Hameed worked as Director General in Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. His name came up in many controversies including the Faizabad strike case. Three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had told the Supreme Court that Faiz Hameed and former army chief General Bajwa were behind his removal from power. However, Faiz was given a clean chit by an inquiry commission in the Faizabad protest case.
So why did the investigation start now?
In fact, on November 8, 2023, Moiz Ahmed Khan, an owner of a housing society named Top City, filed a petition in the Supreme Court. In which he accused Faiz of misusing his authority. It is said that on May 12, 2017, at the behest of General Faiz, ISI officials raided the city’s top office and his house. During the raid, ISI officials seized valuables including gold, diamonds and money from the house.
The petition also said that Faiz’s brother Sardar Najaf had also contacted him later to resolve the matter. The petition also claimed that General Faiz later personally met him to resolve the issue. In which he assured that some items taken by ISI officers during the raid will be returned. However, 400 tola gold and cash will not be returned to them. The petitioner also alleged that ISI officials recovered Rs 4 crore in cash from him.
Considering the sensitivity of the matter and in view of these serious allegations, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court heard the case. The bench included Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, Justice Attar Minullah and Justice Aminuddin.
Supreme Court said- the matter is very serious
The Supreme Court said that this is a very serious matter and the serious nature of the allegations may damage the image of the entire institution. Therefore this matter cannot be ignored. The Supreme Court asked the Attorney General to look into the matter and discuss it with the concerned authorities.
Pakistan’s Attorney General assured the apex court that full cooperation will be provided in the case and action will be taken as per law. Following the instructions, the Army has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the matter.
