By On Wednesday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, quoting its imprisoned founder Imran Khan, demanded an open court trial for retired General Faiz Hameed. Hameed, who was detained earlier this month in connection with a housing scheme scam, is facing court-martial proceedings.
Imran Khan has alleged that Hameed is being coerced into testifying against him to facilitate Khan’s trial in a military court over the May 9 riots. Khan has characterized the issue as an “army’s internal matter” and expressed doubt that an open trial will be held, suggesting that decisions will be made in private.
The PTI leader further claimed that all cases against him have effectively collapsed, arguing that the push towards military courts is a consequence of this.
The unprecedented arrest of General Faiz Hameed, announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on August 12, marked a significant departure from the long-standing perception that senior intelligence officials were beyond reproach. Hameed was detained for allegedly violating the Army Act following accusations of misconduct by the owner of a private housing society. This move shattered the perception of impunity enjoyed by senior military figures in Pakistan, where generals have historically wielded substantial influence.
The ISPR cited a November 2023 Supreme Court directive, which instructed Kanwar Moeez Khan, owner of Islamabad’s Top City housing society, to seek redress through official channels, including the Ministry of Defence, for grievances against Hameed. This directive was the basis for the military action against the former spymaster.
In the days following Hameed’s arrest, the ISPR revealed that three other retired officers were also in military custody for actions deemed prejudicial to military discipline. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar suggested that additional arrests related to Hameed’s court-martial might be imminent.
Overall, the situation underscores a significant shift in the military’s approach to accountability and transparency, reflecting broader changes in the political and judicial landscape of Pakistan.
