In a significant development, the Pakistan Army has detained former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed and commenced court martial proceedings related to a housing scheme scandal. The arrest follows a comprehensive inquiry conducted by the military on the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which investigated complaints against Hameed in the Top City case.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media arm of the Pakistan Army, issued a statement confirming the initiation of disciplinary action against Lt Gen Hameed under the Pakistan Army Act. The inquiry revealed multiple violations of the Army Act committed by Hameed post-retirement, leading to the decision to proceed with a Field General Court Martial and his subsequent arrest.
Lt Gen Hameed was a key figure in Pakistan’s intelligence landscape during his tenure as ISI chief from 2019 to 2021. He rose to prominence after being appointed to the position following the premature removal of Lt Gen Asim Munir, the current Army chief. Hameed’s appointment was reportedly favored by then Prime Minister Imran Khan, who later opposed his removal—a move that reportedly marked the beginning of deteriorating relations between Khan and the military.
The Top City case garnered attention in November 2023 when Moeez Ahmed Khan, the owner of Top City, filed a petition with the Supreme Court accusing Hameed of abuse of power. Khan alleged that in May 2017, ISI officials, under Hameed’s directive, raided his office and residence, seizing valuables including gold, diamonds, and cash. Khan further claimed that Hameed’s brother, Sardar Najaf, later approached him to resolve the issue, and that Hameed personally intervened, allegedly extorting ₹4 crore in cash.
A Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, examined the case and referred it to the Ministry of Defence for further investigation. In response, the Pakistan Army established a high-level inquiry committee headed by a major general to probe the allegations.
Lt Gen Hameed opted for early retirement in November 2022, just four months before his official retirement date, shortly after the new Army chief took charge. He was known for his close ties with former Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa.
The position of ISI chief holds significant influence within the Pakistan Army, an institution that has played a dominant role in the country’s governance, particularly in matters of security and foreign policy, throughout its history.
