By News Desk
RAWALPINDI: Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid has been formally arraigned in the ongoing Field General Court-Martial (FGCM) proceedings against him.
The process of court martial against Lt-Gen Hamid was initiated under the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act on August 12 this year. “[...] and in first place Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (Retd) has been formally arraigned on charges of engaging in political activities, violations of Official Secret Act, detrimental to safety and interest of the state, misuse of authority & government resources and causing wrongful loss to a person(s),” the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Tuesday.
The military’s media wing further said the former spy master’s role in creating agitation and unrest including May 9 riots “in collusion with vested political interests” was also being investigated.
The May 9 events refer to the violent protests that broke out in the country last year following the arrest of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case.
During the riots, the alleged supporters of PTI founder ransacked and attacked the public properties including military installations, prompting the civil-military leadership of the country to try the rioters under Army Act. Besides PTI founder Imran, dozens of other party leaders have been implicated in the cases related to the May 9 mayhem.
The ISPR statement further said: “During the process, involvement of Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (Retd), in events related to creating agitation and unrest, leading upto multiple incidents including but not limited to 9th May 2023 incident for fomenting instability; at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests, is also being separately investigated.” “Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (retd) is being afforded [...] all legal rights as per the law,” it added.
The ex-ISI chief was taken into custody by the military on charges of abuse of power and violating the Army Act earlier this year in August. The Pakistan Army, following Supreme Court orders, had conducted a detailed inquiry to investigate complaints against Hamid in the Top City case, according to the army’s media wing. It added the court-martial process was started against the former spy chief based on these complaints. It said multiple instances of violation of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement had also been established against the former general.
The arrest was made in connection with a petition filed by the housing society’s chief executive officer in the Supreme Court last year, wherein Hamid was accused of land grabbing and stealing valuables from the owner of a private housing society during a raid.