Inter-Services Public Relations says the court martial proceedings against General retired Faiz Hameed have been started
RAWALPINDI: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-August 12nd, 2024) Former intelligence chief Faiz Hameed has been taken into military custody, and court-martial proceedings have been initiated against him in connection with the Top City housing scheme scandal, according to the military's media wing on Monday.
A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated, "In compliance with the Supreme Court of Pakistan's orders, the Pakistan Army conducted a detailed court of inquiry to verify the complaints made against Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed in the Top City Case."
The statement continued, "As a result, disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed under the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act."
The ISPR further mentioned that multiple instances of violations of the Pakistan Army Act after his retirement have also been identified. Consequently, the process of Field General Court Martial has commenced, and Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed has been placed in military custody.
Earlier, the military reportedly formed an inquiry committee in April to investigate allegations of misuse of authority by the former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Reports indicated that the committee, established as a gesture of self-accountability, was led by a serving major general.
These reports also mentioned that the committee was formed following directives from the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Defence.
The management of Top City, a private housing scheme, had made serious allegations against the former ISI chief, claiming 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 redress from relevant authorities, including the defense ministry, regarding his grievances against the former spymaster and his associates.
The newly established inquiry committee is expected to prepare a report based on its findings and present it to the relevant authorities.
According to the petition, on May 12, 2017, the Pakistan Rangers and ISI officials raided the Top City office and Moeez’s residence, seizing valuables, including gold, diamond ornaments, and money, under the pretext of a terrorism case.
The petition also claimed that Gen Hameed's brother, Sardar Najaf, attempted to mediate the situation. Following his acquittal, Gen Hameed allegedly contacted Moeez through a cousin, who is a brigadier in the army, to arrange a meeting.
During this meeting, according to the petition, Gen Hameed stated that some of the seized items would be returned, except for 400 tolas of gold and cash.
The petition further 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.
It also implicated former ISI officials Irtaza Haroon, Sardar Najaf, Wasim Tabish, Zahid Mehmood Malik and Mohammad Munir in the illegal takeover of the housing society.
