Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the former head of Pakistan’s influential Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, was arrested by the Pakistan army in a corruption case on Monday.
This development has caught many Pakistan politics watchers off guard.
Back in September 2021, when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Hameed had rushed to Kabul to “celebrate” their victory.He was seen confidently strolling around the city, enjoying a cup of tea, and giving off the impression of a conqueror, according to an article in Foreign Policy.
“Don’t worry, everything will be okay,” he had said at the time, displaying his influence as a kingmaker who played a crucial role in establishing the Taliban government in Kabul.
The arrest of such a powerful figure, who once revelled in his ability to shape events in the region, has left many questioning the shifting dynamics within Pakistan’s military and political circles.
This development has caught many Pakistan politics watchers off guard.
Back in September 2021, when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Hameed had rushed to Kabul to “celebrate” their victory.He was seen confidently strolling around the city, enjoying a cup of tea, and giving off the impression of a conqueror, according to an article in Foreign Policy.
“Don’t worry, everything will be okay,” he had said at the time, displaying his influence as a kingmaker who played a crucial role in establishing the Taliban government in Kabul.
The arrest of such a powerful figure, who once revelled in his ability to shape events in the region, has left many questioning the shifting dynamics within Pakistan’s military and political circles.
Driving the news
- Pakistan’s military has arrested Hameed and announced that he will face a court-martial.
- The arrest, unprecedented in the nation’s history, comes after a Supreme Court-ordered probe into allegations of corruption and land grabbing connected to the Top City housing project near Islamabad.
- The military announced that Hameed was taken into custody after an internal investigation, which was initiated by the Supreme Court of the country.
- The probe was related to allegations surrounding a scandal that came to be known as the Top City project scam.
- Top City, the company at the center of the controversy, was involved in the development of a private housing project on land situated in close proximity to Islamabad, the nation’s capital.
- The military’s media wing, ISPR, confirmed that “appropriate disciplinary action” has been initiated under the Pakistan Army Act but it did not specify when Hameed was taken into custody.
Why it matters
- This is a rare instance where a high-ranking or retired military officer in Pakistan, let alone a former ISI chief, is being court-martialed.
- The ISI is one of the most powerful institutions in the country, often operating with significant autonomy.
- The ISI chief is considered to be the second most powerful official after the army chief in Pakistan.
- The military’s dominant role in Pakistan’s political landscape has been a defining feature of the country’s history. The fact that such a high-ranking or retired officer was taken into custody is seen as a notable departure from the norm, highlighting the rarity of such actions against those associated with the powerful institution.
- Hameed’s arrest is not just about corruption charges; it reflects deeper tensions within Pakistan’s military and its relationship with civilian leaders, particularly with former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
- Hameed was a key ally of Khan, and his arrest signals a potential shift in the military’s approach to accountability and its role in political affairs.
The big picture
- Hameed’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on figures associated with Khan, who was ousted from power in 2022.
- The former ISI chief had been a controversial figure, particularly during Khan’s tenure, where he was seen as a kingmaker, influencing political decisions and suppressing opposition.
- As per a Dawn report, Gen Hameed was involved in an alleged standoff between the military and Imran Khan-led PTI government over the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as the new chief of the ISI in the last quarter of 2021.
- The army had announced on October 6, 2021, that Gen Hameed was appointed the Peshawar corps commander, while Lt Gen Anjum was appointed in his place. But the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had not issued an official notification of Lt Gen Anjum’s appointment until three weeks later, leading to frenzied speculation of strains in civil-military relations.
- The former spymaster has been involved in many controversies in the country’s political landscape over the past decade. His involvement in the Top City scandal, where he allegedly used his position to intimidate and raid the property of the project’s owner, highlights the extent of his influence.
- The military’s decision to arrest him suggests an effort to reassert control and distance itself from the controversies that have plagued the institution in recent years.
What they’re saying
- Analysts see this move as highly significant. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US, remarked, “Lt Gen Faiz Hameed celebrated the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan and was identified with jihadi militant operations. This could be the beginning of the Pakistani military’s break from policies associated with him.”
- Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Wilson Center, suggested that Hameed’s known closeness to Khan might have played a role in his arrest.
- “Faiz’s known closeness to Imran Khan looms large. This may be a case of a push for accountability being used as a pretext to send a tough message to Khan’s allies — including those in the military,” Kugelman told Financial Times.
- “Sending this message to Pakistanis these days is strategic, as it’s a moment when anti-army sentiment runs high within the public,” Kugelman said.
Zoom in
- General Hameed was closely associated with Pakistan’s complex and often controversial relationship with the Taliban, especially during their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. His presence in Kabul, shortly after the Taliban seized control, symbolized Pakistan’s ties to the group.
- His arrest may indicate a potential shift in Pakistan’s approach to dealing with militant groups like the Taliban.
- The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan was supposed to be a strategic masterstroke for Pakistan, especially for the army. But it seems to have backfired on Pakistan.
- There has been a steady rise in terror attacks in Pakistan since Taliban’s takeover and TTP is supposed to be one of the key terror outfits behind it.
- Pakistan has accused Taliban of providing safe haven to TTP militants.
- Hameed’s downfall may indicate a broader realignment within the military as it seeks to distance itself from past political entanglements. This shift could affect the military’s influence over civilian governance and its relationships with political leaders, particularly as the country navigates ongoing political instability and economic challenges.
Military-judiciary detente?
- The involvement of the Supreme Court in ordering the inquiry and subsequent arrest of Hameed underscores the judiciary’s increasing role in matters traditionally reserved for military oversight.
- At the same time, the army’s decision to arrest and prosecute the former ISI chief could be a signal of military’s peace offering to judiciary. Pakistani courts have given a number of orders in favour of Khan. The establishment has been able to keep him jail by continuously arresting him under new charges.
- In March, Six judges from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), Pakistan’s judicial watchdog, alleging that the ISI had been meddling in judicial affairs. The letter, dated March 25 but released to the public on Tuesday evening, was signed by six senior IHC judges.
- In the letter, the judges claim that the ISI has been employing “intimidatory” tactics against them and their families, including secret surveillance, abduction, and even torture to put put pressure on them in cases involving Khan.
What’s next
- The court-martial of a figure as prominent as General Hameed could have wide-ranging consequences for Pakistan’s political and military dynamics.
- Hameed’s downfall may indicate a broader realignment within the military as it seeks to distance itself from past political entanglements. This shift could affect the military’s influence over civilian governance and its relationships with political leaders, particularly as the country navigates ongoing political instability and economic challenges.
- Domestically, it could open the door for further investigations into other high-ranking military and political figures who may have been involved in similar activities.
- This action could also be seen as an effort by the military to restore its image and demonstrate a commitment to accountability amid rising public discontent and anti-military sentiment.
- It would be interesting to see how the court-martial of Hameed pans out in coming days. To paraphrase Hameed’s words, he would have a “lot to worry” and won’t be sure that “everything will be okay” in the end.
(With inputs from agencies)
