On August 12, 2024, the Pakistan Army made headlines with the arrest of former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed. This unprecedented move marks the beginning of court martial proceedings against Hameed in connection with a high-profile housing scheme scandal.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army, issued a statement detailing the situation. “Complying with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a detailed court of inquiry was undertaken by Pakistan Army, to ascertain correctness of complaints in Top City Case made against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd),” the statement read. “Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd.), under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act,” it continued.
Further investigation revealed multiple breaches of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement, leading to the initiation of a Field General Court Martial and Hameed’s subsequent military custody.
Lt Gen (retd.) Hameed was a prominent figure in Pakistan’s military landscape, serving as the head of the ISI from 2019 to 2021. His tenure was marked by significant influence, particularly when he replaced Lt Gen Asim Munir as ISI chief—a move reportedly fueled by then Prime Minister Imran Khan’s dissatisfaction with Munir.
He is best known for serving as the 24th Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from 2019 to 2022. Born in Chakwal, he began his military journey at the Pakistan Military Academy in 1987 and was commissioned into the Baloch Regiment. Over his career, Hameed held several important roles, including General Officer Commanding of the 16th Infantry Division and Adjutant General at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Hameed became a prominent figure during his time as ISI chief, where he played a significant role, especially under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s administration. However, his career faced challenges after his retirement in December 2022 when he became embroiled in a major housing scheme scandal.
The controversy surrounding Hameed intensified with the Top City case. On November 8, 2023, Moeez Ahmed Khan, the owner of Top City, filed a petition with the Supreme Court accusing Hameed of abusing his authority. Khan alleged that on May 12, 2017, at Hameed’s behest, ISI officials raided his office and home, seizing valuables including gold, diamonds, and cash. Khan further claimed that Hameed’s brother, Sardar Najaf, later attempted to resolve the issue and that Hameed himself met with Khan, leading to extortion of Rs 4 crore.
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, along with Justices Attar Minullah and Aminuddin, referred the case to the Ministry of Defence for further investigation. In April 2024, the army established a high-level inquiry committee led by a major general to examine the allegations against Hameed.
Hameed retired prematurely in November 2022, four months before his scheduled retirement, coinciding with the transition to the current Army chief. His tenure as ISI chief was closely associated with the then Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa, highlighting the complex dynamics of Pakistan’s military and political landscape.
The role of ISI chief remains one of the most critical positions in Pakistan’s military, wielding considerable influence over national security and foreign policy. Hameed’s current legal troubles mark a dramatic turn in a career that once stood at the pinnacle of Pakistan’s intelligence and military hierarchy.
