What’s fate of ‘high-level inquiry’ against Gen Faiz?

ISLAMABAD: There is no clue as yet about the outcome of a high-level inquiry against former DGISI Lt Gen (R) Faiz Hameed.

In mid-April this year, the media was fed informally about the setting up of a high-level inquiry headed by a major general to look into the allegations of misuse of authority against the former DG ISI.

For unknown reasons, the military authorities had not made a formal announcement for the initiation of inquiry against the former top spymaster of the country. Almost all the leading TV channels and newspapers had reported the matter while quoting unnamed sources.

It was reported that the inquiry was ordered by the military authorities following the orders of the Supreme Court in the case of an owner of the housing society who had approached the apex court accusing Gen Faiz of illegally raiding his residence and stealing valuables.

“There is a strict and highly transparent system of self-accountability in Pakistan Army and by promoting this system, all such allegations are investigated with great seriousness and those responsible are also given severe punishment so that the self-accountability of the Pakistan Army is maintained,” a media report said on April 17, 2024.

On November 8, 2023, owner of the housing society, filed a petition in the Supreme Court in which he accused Faiz of misusing his authority. It was alleged in the petition that on May 12, 2017, on the behest of Gen Faiz, ISI officials had raided the housing society office and the house of housing society’s owner. During the raid, valuables, including gold, diamonds and money, were seized from the house by ISI officials, the petitioner had alleged.

The petition also stated that Sardar Najaf, the brother of Faiz, also contacted him to resolve the issue later. The petition also claimed that Gen Faiz later personally met him to resolve the issue, in which he assured that some of the items which had been taken away by the ISI officials during the raid would be returned. However, 400 tolas of gold and cash will not be returned to him. The petitioner also alleged that the ISI officials extorted Rs4 crore cash from him.

The SC in the case observed, “The allegations are of an extremely serious nature, and if true, undoubtedly would undermine the reputation of the federal government, the armed forces, the ISI and Pakistan Rangers, therefore, they cannot be left unattended.”

The court, however, did not start proceedings on the basis of the application that sought to invoke the Supreme Court’s original powers under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.

The SC had noted that the applicant apprehends that his complaint/grievance would not be entertained by the Ministry of Defence, because the respondents had held senior positions in the armed forces.

“However, the learned Additional Attorney-General for Pakistan (AAG) has assured us that the complaint/grievance will be given due consideration, and we have no reason to doubt this statement made on behalf of the government of Pakistan,” read the SC order. It added, “Therefore, the apprehension of the applicant is misplaced. Accordingly, if the applicant submits a complaint/grievance to the Ministry of Defence of the government of Pakistan, it shall be dealt with in accordance with law,” it said.