Former ISI chief Gen retired Faiz Hameed taken into military custody: ISPR

Rawalpindi: Former Spy Chief General retired Faiz Hameed has been taken into military’s custody, Inter-Services Public Relations said on Monday.

Former intelligence chief Faiz Hameed has been placed in military custody, and court-martial proceedings have begun against him in connection with the Top City housing scheme scandal.

In a press release, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that, following orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Pakistan Army carried out a comprehensive court of inquiry to investigate the complaints against Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed related to the Top City Case.

The statement further mentioned that disciplinary measures have been taken against Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed under the Pakistan Army Act.

The ISPR also revealed that several violations of the Pakistan Army Act after his retirement have been identified, leading to the initiation of a Field General Court Martial, with Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed now in military custody.

In April, the military reportedly established an inquiry committee to investigate accusations of misuse of power by the former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). According to reports, this committee, formed as a self-accountability measure, was headed by a serving major general.

The reports further indicated that the committee was formed in response to directives from the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Defence.

The management of Top City, a private housing project, leveled serious accusations against the former ISI chief, alleging that he orchestrated a raid on the offices and residence of its owner, Moeez Khan.

In November 2023, the Supreme Court advised the owner of the housing society to seek resolution from the relevant authorities, including the defense ministry, regarding his complaints against the former intelligence head and his associates.

The newly established inquiry committee is expected to compile a report based on its findings and present it to the appropriate authorities.

According to the petition, on May 12, 2017, the Pakistan Rangers and ISI officials raided the Top City office and Moeez’s residence, confiscating valuables, including gold, diamond jewelry, and cash, under the guise of a terrorism case.

The petition further claimed that Gen Hameed's brother, Sardar Najaf, attempted to mediate the situation. After Moeez’s acquittal, Gen Hameed allegedly contacted Moeez through a cousin, who is a brigadier in the army, to arrange a meeting.

During this meeting, as claimed in the petition, Gen Hameed stated that some of the confiscated items would be returned, except for 400 tolas of gold and cash.

The petition also alleged that retired brigadiers Naeem Fakhar and Ghaffar from the ISI pressured the petitioner to pay 40 million rupees in cash and sponsor a private TV network for several months.

Additionally, the petition implicated former ISI officials Irtaza Haroon, Sardar Najaf, Wasim Tabish, Zahid Mehmood Malik, and Mohammad Munir in the illegal takeover of the housing society.