Pakistan’s military has announced the arrest of three former officers as part of the investigation into the former intelligence chief Faiz Hameed, who faces a military trial on charges of corruption and abuse of power. The arrests are related to allegations against Hameed, who led the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, for “actions detrimental to military discipline.”
On Thursday, the military stated that it is continuing to investigate several retired officers and their aides for “fostering instability on behalf of, and in collaboration with, political interests.” The political opposition and critics often accuse the ISI of interfering in politics and government affairs.
Hameed was arrested on Monday and charged with alleged misconduct in a case involving a private housing project. The military revealed that it had concluded an investigation ordered by the Supreme Court in relation to a complaint from a real estate agent who accused Hameed of abusing his position to illegally occupy the housing project on the outskirts of Islamabad. Furthermore, there were mentions of “multiple instances of violations of the Pakistan Army Act,” which the military claims have also been documented following Hameed’s retirement.
Hameed served as head of the ISI from 2019 to 2021 under former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned. Khan dismissed Hameed in October 2021, just months before he lost power in April 2022. Hameed, who was once tipped to become the army chief, took early retirement in December 2022. The Pakistan Army Act prohibits a retired military chief from engaging in political activities for two years after retirement.
The Pakistani military is considered the most powerful institution in Pakistan, having directly governed the country of 240 million people for more than 30 years throughout its nearly 76-year history of independence.