Pakistan Army initiates inquiry against retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.
In response to allegations brought forward by the owner of a private housing society, the Pakistan Army has launched an inquiry against retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, the former Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
This development, reported by local media sources citing Samaa, indicates that the Army has set up an inquiry committee chaired by a Major General to investigate the accusations against Lt Gen (r) Faiz Hameed.
The inquiry has been prompted by directives from the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Background of the Inquiry:
The genesis of this inquiry can be traced back to a petition filed by the owner of a private housing society, outlining incidents allegedly involving Lt Gen (r) Faiz Hameed and his associates.
According to the petitioner, in May 2017, Pakistan Rangers and ISI officials conducted a raid on the society’s office and a resident’s home in connection with a terrorism case.
Valuables, including gold, diamonds, and cash, were reportedly seized during this operation.
The petitioner further asserts that following an acquittal, efforts were made by Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s brother to resolve the situation.
It is alleged that the then-ISI chief communicated through an army brigadier, offering to return some seized items but keeping a substantial portion of gold and cash.
The petitioner also claims coercion by retired ISI officials to pay a significant sum of cash and sponsor a private television network, implicating other individuals in the affair.
Court Proceedings and Previous Actions:
During court proceedings, it was revealed that the matter had previously been addressed by the Supreme Court’s Human Rights Cell under former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, who had ordered the destruction of relevant records.
The court advised the petitioner to pursue the matter through appropriate civil or criminal court channels, citing discrepancies in the handling of proceedings related to the housing scheme.
In a separate development related to former Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, an inquiry commission investigating the Faizabad sit-in incident of 2017 recently cleared him and former Punjab Rangers director general Major General (r) Azhar Naveed Hayat of any wrongdoing.
This commission, established by the Supreme Court following the protest led by former Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi, found no evidence to support allegations of money distribution among protest participants by either former military officer.
The commission’s report recommended legal action against certain individuals based on federal and Punjab government findings and suggested reinstating cases against the TLP during the sit-in.
The report includes statements from various notable individuals involved in the incident.
