Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed has been placed under military custody as appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against him.

The Pakistan Army has commenced the process of a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) to address charges brought against the retired officer.

This significant development comes as part of the military's internal accountability mechanism.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, complying with the orders of Supreme Court, a detailed court of inquiry was undertaken by the Pakistan Army to ascertain the correctness of complaints against Hameed in the Top City Case.

"Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd), under provisions of Pakistan Army Act," it added. 

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In addition, ISPR said, multiple instances of violation of Pakistan Army Act post retirement have also been established. "The process of Field General Court Martial has been initiated and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been taken into military custody," it added. 

The allegations

Earlier this year, the Pakistan Army said it initiated an inquiry against the retired general in response to allegations raised by the owner of Top City society, Moeez Khan. 

Khan had approached the Supreme Court against Faiz Hameed and on his request, the court had ordered an inquiry into the matter. In November 2023, the Supreme Court had declared that the allegations against Faiz Hameed were serious and could not be ignored. Hameed misused his authority and office, according to the petitioner. 

Sources privy to the development said the army constituted an inquiry committee, chaired by a major general, to investigate the accusations against Faiz Hameed. The inquiry was conducted under the directives from the Supreme Court. 

The Supreme Court exercised powers under Article 184(3), as per its judgement, adding that the petitioner's complaint should be dealt with in accordance with law. 

The genesis of the inquiry lies in a petition filed by the owner of the private housing society, detailing incidents allegedly involving Faiz Hameed and his associates, including Brigadier (retd) Naeem Fakhar, Brigadier (retd) Ghaffar, and Irtiza Haroon. 

The petition 

The petitioner claimed that in May 2017, Pakistan Rangers and ISI officials raided the society's office and a resident's home, seizing valuables including gold, diamonds, and cash in connection with a terrorism case. 

According to the petitioner, efforts were made by Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed's brother to mediate the situation following an acquittal. Subsequently, Hameed purportedly communicated through a brigadier, offering to return some items seized during the raid, but retaining a significant portion of gold and cash.

Furthermore, the petitioner alleged coercion by retired ISI officials to pay a substantial sum of cash and sponsor a private television network. Names of other individuals allegedly involved in the affair were also mentioned in the petition. 

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During court proceedings, it was revealed that the matter had been previously addressed by the Human Rights Cell of the Supreme Court, and that former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar had ordered the destruction of relevant records. The Supreme Court, however, suggested that the petitioner pursue the matter through appropriate channels, indicating that civil or criminal courts could address allegations of malicious prosecution.

The court also noted discrepancies in the handling of proceedings related to the housing scheme under former CJP Saqib Nisar.