In a historic move, retired Lieutenant-General Faiz Hameed, the former chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, has been arrested and is set to face a court martial for alleged misconduct related to a private housing scheme. The Pakistani military announced the decision, stating that it aims to investigate multiple complaints against Hameed concerning violations of the Army Act after his retirement in December 2022. This unprecedented action against a former spy chief highlights the military's attempt to maintain discipline within its ranks.
The allegations against Hameed stem from a petition filed by Top City, a land development company involved in a housing project near Islamabad. The company accused Hameed of engaging in land grabbing and corruption, claiming that he, along with his brother, acquired ownership of certain properties unlawfully. Additionally, Top City alleged that Hameed had blackmailed the company's owner and orchestrated raids on his home and offices, using his position to intimidate and exert control over the development project.
This case marks a significant moment in Pakistan's military history, as no former ISI chief has faced court martial before. The military, which has ruled Pakistan directly for nearly three decades, has often been shielded from accountability, particularly regarding its powerful intelligence apparatus. Analysts suggest that Hameed's arrest is not only a response to the allegations but also a move to reinforce military discipline amid growing scrutiny of the army's involvement in politics and governance.
Ayesha Siddiqa, a prominent scholar on the Pakistan military, described Hameed's arrest as a "political nuclear detonation," indicating the potential for far-reaching consequences within the military and political landscape. She noted that previous court martials of senior officers typically involved charges of espionage rather than corruption, making Hameed's case particularly noteworthy. The military's actions may be interpreted as an attempt to reassert control and restore order following a period of instability and public dissatisfaction.
Hameed, who was appointed to lead the ISI in 2019 by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has maintained a close relationship with Khan, who is currently jailed. This connection adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as Hameed's arrest could be seen as a signal to Khan's supporters and an indication of shifting power dynamics within the military establishment. The timing of the arrest, shortly after the appointment of the new army chief, General Asim Munir, suggests internal tensions and a need to address perceived threats to the current leadership.
Kamran Bokhari, a senior director at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, emphasized the significance of Hameed's arrest, noting that he was a powerful figure within the intelligence community until recently. Bokhari suggested that Hameed's actions may have posed a risk to the current military leadership, prompting this drastic step. The decision to court martial a former ISI chief reflects the military's recognition of the need to manage civil-military relations carefully, especially in a context where political and economic conditions are increasingly precarious.
As the court martial process unfolds, it remains to be seen how this unprecedented action will impact Pakistan's political landscape and the military's role within it. The implications of Hameed's arrest extend beyond individual accountability, potentially influencing public perception of the military and its longstanding dominance in Pakistani politics.
