In A First, Pakistan's Former Spy Chief Faiz Hameed Taken Into Military Custody For Involvement In Housing Scheme Scam

Pakistan’s former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed has been arrested by the military ahead of his court martial in connection with a housing scheme scandal Top City housing scheme scandal on Monday.

The Pakistan Army’s media wing said that the arrest was done after complying with orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Pakistani news media outlets said that this is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a court martial has been initiated against a former intelligence chief.

“Complying with the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan, a detailed court of inquiry, was undertaken by Pakistan Army, to ascertain correctness of complaints in Top City case made against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd),” said a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Last year, the Pakistan Supreme Court said that allegations of an “extremely serious nature” were raised against former spymaster Hameed, which “cannot be left unattended”. The nation’s apex court had warned that it would undermine the reputation of the country’s institutions if these allegations were proved to be true.

“The allegations are of an extremely serious nature, and if true, undoubtedly would undermine the reputation of the federal government, the armed forces, ISI and Pakistan Rangers, therefore, they cannot be left unattended,” the Supreme Court order said.

The Pakistan army then set up a committee in April to investigate allegations of misuse of authority against Hameed, who once led the ISI.

Top City’s management accused the former ISI chief of plotting a raid on the offices and residence of its owner, Moeez Khan. He was told by the apex court last year to approach the defence ministry, for the redressal of his grievances against Hameed.

Moeez alleges that Hameed conducted raids at the Top City office and Moeez’s residence, seizing valuables such as gold, diamond ornaments, and cash in connection with an alleged terrorism case, according to a petition filed in 2017.

The petition also says that Hameed’s brother Sardar Najaf mediated and tried to resolve the issue.

During the mediation, Hameed allegedly said that he would return some of the items taken away during the raid except for 400 tola gold and cash. However, retired brigadier Naeem Fakhar and retired brigadier Ghaffar of the ISI allegedly “forced” the petitioner Moeez to “pay 4 crores in cash” and “sponsor” a private television network for a few months.

Former interior minister Rana Sanaullah in March 2023 had also said that Hameed and his brother were facing a probe over alleged corruption and accumulating assets beyond means.