— Former spy chief ‘taken into military custody’
— Probe into complaints launched on apex court’s directives
ISLAMABAD: Former intelligence chief Faiz Hameed has been placed under military custody, and proceedings for his court martial have commenced in relation to the Top City housing scheme scandal, according to a statement from the army’s media wing on Monday.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced in a press release that, “In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a thorough court of inquiry was conducted by the Pakistan Army to verify the accuracy of the complaints lodged against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) in the Top City Case.”
The release further stated, “As a result, appropriate disciplinary measures have been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) under the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act.”
Additionally, the ISPR revealed, “Multiple violations of the Pakistan Army Act committed after retirement have also been confirmed. The process for a Field General Court Martial has begun, and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been taken into military custody.”
In April, the military reportedly formed an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations of misuse of authority against the former spymaster, who once led the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). According to media reports, the committee was established as a demonstration of self-accountability and was chaired by a serving major general.
The committee was reportedly created in response to directives from the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Defence.
The management of Top City, a private housing scheme, had leveled serious accusations against the former ISI chief, alleging that he had orchestrated a raid on the offices and residence of its owner, Moeez Khan.
In November 2023, the Supreme Court directed the owner of the housing society to approach relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, to address his grievances against the former intelligence chief and his associates.
The newly established inquiry committee is expected to compile its findings and submit a report to the relevant authorities, according to the reports.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has emphasised that the military’s self-accountability system is a strict, transparent, and continuous process that operates without bias.
In a statement, the DG ISPR reiterated the rigorous nature of accountability within the military, a point he had previously detailed during a press conference on May 7. He highlighted that this internal process is automatic and always active, ensuring that no one is exempt from scrutiny.
“The higher the rank, the greater the responsibility, and the more stringent the accountability,” the DG ISPR said, underscoring the fairness and seriousness of the process.
He further stated, “We take pride in our accountability system, which functions not on allegations but on facts.”
Top city case
Earlier in April this year, Pakistan Army had constituted a high-level inquiry committee headed by a major general to look into the allegations against Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed that he as Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general misused his authority.
The inquiry has been ordered in pursuant to the orders of the Supreme Court and in the light of the directives of the Ministry of Defence, according to the people familiar with the development.
This is the first formal inquiry ordered against Gen Faiz, who resigned in November 2022, four months before his retirement date.
Faiz served as DG C in the ISI and later headed the spy agency. His name surfaced in many controversies, including the Faizabad Dharna case. Three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif named him and Gen Bajwa as the main characters behind his removal through a Supreme Court order.
On November 8, 2023, Moeez Ahmed Khan, the owner of Top City, filed a petition in the Supreme Court in which he accused Faiz of misusing his authority.
The petition filed by in the Supreme Court stated that on May 12, 2017, on the behest of Gen Faiz, ISI officials raided the top city office and his house. During the raid, valuables, including gold, diamonds and money, were seized from the house by ISI officials, the petitioner alleged.
The petition also stated that Sardar Najaf, the brother of Faiz, also contacted him to resolve the issue later.
The petition also claimed that Gen Faiz later personally met him to resolve the issue, in which he assured that some of the items which had been taken away by the ISI officials during the raid would be returned. However, 400 tolas of gold and cash will not be returned to him.
The petitioner also alleged that the ISI officials extorted Rs4 crore cash from him.
Considering the sensitivity of the matter and in view of these serious allegations, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, which included Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Aminuddin, heard the case.
The Supreme Court observed this was a very serious matter and the serious nature of allegations may damage the image of the entire institution, therefore the matter cannot be ignored. The Supreme Court asked the attorney general to look into the matter and discuss with the relevant authorities.
