Gen Faiz Hameed formally charged with 'engaging in political activities'

Former ISI chief Lt-General (retd) Faiz Hameed has been formally indicted on charges of “involvement in political activities” during the proceedings of the field general court martial, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to a statement issued by the ISPR on Tuesday afternoon, violations of Official Secrets Act were also included in the charge-sheet.

The ISPR confirmed that Field General Court Martial (FGCM) proceedings against retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed commenced on August 12, 2024, under relevant provisions of the Pakistan Army Act.

The FGCM has formally charged Faiz Hameed with engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, compromising state security and interests, abusing authority and resources, and causing undue harm to individuals.

The ISPR statement said, "On August 12, 2024, proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Pakistan Army Act were initiated against Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed (Retd) in a Field General Court Martial.

The ISPR said in the next stage of the Field General Court Martial, retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed has been formally charge-sheeted.

These charges include involvement in political activities, violations of the Official Secrets Act, causing harm to state security and interests, abuse of authority and official resources, and inflicting undue harm on people.

During the Field General Court Martial process, a separate investigation is also being conducted regarding retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed’s alleged involvement in incidents of unrest and violence in the country.

These incidents of unrest and violence include events related to May 9 as part of the investigation.

The investigation also includes the alleged instigation and collusion of malicious political elements in several violent incidents.

During the Field General Court Martial process, retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed is being provided all legal rights in accordance with the law."

Gen Faiz Hameed had been arrested in August this year for alleged misconduct in a case related to a private housing scheme. The ISPR then said the military had arrested retired Lieutenant-General Faiz Hameed, the former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to “ascertain the correctness” of complaints in a property case and “appropriate disciplinary action” was initiated against him.

The statement said there were “multiple instances of violation” of the Army Act by General Faiz Hameed after his retirement in December 2022. “The process of Field General Court Martial has been initiated, and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been taken into military custody,” it added then.

The military said it had acted against the top officer in accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court, which last year called for an investigation against Faiz Hameed after a land development company called Top City filed a petition, alleging Hameed had acquired ownership of some properties along with his brother and had even blackmailed the company’s owner.

Reporter: Ahmed Mansoor