Pakistan’s former spymaster – who was as soon as tipped for the military’s high job – has been taken into army custody.
Lt Gen Faiz Hameed has been accused of abusing his energy and raiding a personal property growth enterprise throughout his time as head of the Inter-Companies Intelligence (ISI) company.
It’s extremely uncommon for somebody of Gen Hameed’s rank to be arrested in Pakistan, and has sparked widespread hypothesis, with many linking the transfer to his shut ties with former prime minister Imran Khan.
He led the ISI throughout Mr Khan’s administration, from 2019 to 2021, earlier than taking early retirement in December 2022.
The 2 have been understood to be very shut throughout that interval.
The military’s official assertion mentioned the arrest of Gen Hameed was ordered by the Supreme Courtroom, and that the army had now began “the method of Area Common Courtroom Martial”.
A courtroom martial is a authorized army listening to.
It additionally famous there had additionally been “a number of situations of violation” of the Pakistan Military Act since his retirement.
In an interview with the BBC, retired officer Lt Gen Talat Hussain described the transfer as “uncommon” and predicted that many extra arrests might observe.
Based on some analysts, the arrest could possibly be seen as a part of the army’s drive to carry folks accountable throughout the establishment.
The arrest of such a high-ranking officer indicators that nobody is past scrutiny, based on Senator Irfan Siddiqi, an in depth ally of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Nevertheless, others recommend that this can be extra about settling outdated scores, with indications that the present military management and Common Hameed didn’t see eye to eye.
There’s additionally hypothesis that the arrest displays a willingness to take motion towards those that have been seen as backing Imran Khan, even when they have been exterior the political area.
Mr Khan, who has been imprisoned for greater than a 12 months and is dealing with quite a few expenses, was as soon as intently aligned with Pakistan’s army management.
Opposition figures have beforehand accused Gen Hameed of being accountable for “deciding on” Mr Khan for workplace, and was apparently so assured he was going to be named military chief he boasted of it, according to the BBC’s former Pakistan correspondent.
Mr Khan’s PTI occasion has appeared to shrug off hypothesis the arrest could possibly be linked to them, with chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan describing the army’s actions as an inner matter.
The federal government has welcomed the arrest.
Gen Hameed couldn’t be reached for remark.
