Islamabad, 10 March 2023 (GNP): A case involving the former Director General of the ISI, Lt. Gen. (ret.) Faiz Hameed, was recently referred to the National Accountability Bureau. The Bureau, however, sent the reference back.
According to reliable sources within the NAB, several weeks ago, the NAB Rawalpindi office received a file containing General Faiz’s income tax record and a two-page complaint signed by unidentified locals from Chakwal, requesting an investigation into the former DG ISI.
The sources revealed that DG NAB reviewed the file and, after consulting with higher-ups, returned the case with instructions to the relevant authorities to make a formal request to the Bureau.
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Additionally, these sources claim that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was aware of the NAB’s actions against General Faiz and how the Bureau had responded previously.
Now with the appointment of new NAB Chairman Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed Butt, the case is expected to be referred to the NAB to initiate formal proceedings.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday said that the investigation agencies are conducting an inquiry against former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed and any progress about it will be shared with the media.
The interior minister did not disclose which government investigation agency is conducting an inquiry against Lt Gen (retd) Faiz. He also did not specify what is being probed against the former DG ISI. Rana Sanaullah, however, said, “Only the institution can conduct General Faiz’s court martial.” He added that the General Headquarters (GHQ) holds the military trial, not the Interior Ministry.
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Maryam Nawaz, the PMLN’s senior vice president and chief organizer, called for General Faiz to face a court martial. She accused Faiz of contributing to the destabilization of the country by undermining the PMLN government for two years and supporting Imran Khan’s government for four years.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of imposing a severe punishment on Faiz as a deterrent for anyone who may contemplate playing an “unconstitutional role” in the future. On the same day, a senior journalist and anchorperson shared on social media General Faiz’s response to Maryam Nawaz’s allegations.
According to the journalist, Faiz, who was a major general in 2017-18, reminded him through text messages that a Major General, while adhering to military discipline, could not single-handedly overthrow an elected government. Faiz further clarified that in the army, decisions are made solely by the Army Chief and that all court verdicts against the Sharifs were legitimate.
The PML(N) has directed its criticism towards General Faiz Hameed, a prominent figure in the former establishment, while refraining from targeting the former Army Chief, General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa.
