The Pakistan Army announced on Thursday it has taken three more retired officers into custody in connection with the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) of former spymaster Lt. Gen. (retired) Faiz Hameed, who was arrested this week on charges of multiple violations of the Pakistan Army Act.
Hameed, who served as the director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from June 2019 until October 2021, is widely seen as having been close to former prime minister Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August 5, 2023, on a slew of charges.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has frequently claimed harassment and intimidation by state agencies since the downfall of its administration in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, though the state institutions deny the allegations.
The army initially said it had acted against Hameed in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court on a petition filed by the management of the Top City housing society, accusing him of extortion, land grabbing and snatching valuables, though its latest statement indicates he is being investigation for political activities.
“In connection with the FGCM proceedings of Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed, three retired officers are also in military custody for their actions prejudicial to military discipline,” the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), announced in a statement.
“Further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continuing,” it added.
Speaking to reporters, PTI leader Omar Ayub demanded action against other officers of the army who were involved in other illegal activities.
“Those officials who were involved in illegally raiding homes of PTI leaders should also be held accountable for their actions,” Ayub said.
