ISLAMABAD: Former intelligence chief Lieutenant General (retired) Faiz Hameed has been formally chargesheeted on multiple charges, including violating the Official Secrets Act, misusing authority and engaging in political activities.
Investigations are underway into his direct or indirect links with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail.
It has been learned that Ex-DG ISI Faiz Hameed was in touch with around 50 politicians, most of whom were from PTI.
According to a report, published in the daily ‘The News’, under the Army Act, General Faiz Hameed was bound not to engage in any kind of political activity for 5 years after retirement.
Earlier, the ban was for 2 years, but after the amendment to the Army Act in 2023, a person serving in the army on sensitive duties was banned from participating in any kind of political activity for 5 years from the date of retirement, resignation, dismissal or discharge.
After General Faiz’s arrest, there were reports that former DG ISI Lt. Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed was in contact with Imran Khan through multiple channels after May 9 and even after Imran Khan’s arrest. The nature of these contacts, whether direct or indirect, is being investigated.
Before his arrest, General Faiz Hameed had been warned more than once by the military authorities about his questionable activities after retirement, but he did not desist.
Later, Imran Khan distanced himself from the issue of General Faiz’s arrest, while the PTI termed the arrest as an internal matter of the army.
Senior lawyer Intizar Panjotha, while talking to the media at that time, had said that Imran Khan had no political connection with General Faiz. It was General Bajwa who made a deal with Nawaz Sharif and brought in a replacement for General Faiz.
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Intizar Panjotha further explained that Imran Khan had suggested that if General Faiz’s arrest was linked to the May 9 riots, then this was a good opportunity to form a judicial commission and bring out the CCTV footage of that day.
