Islamabad : August 13,2024 : Arrest of ex-ISI chief general (Retd) Faiz Hameed is of extra ordinary significance for Pakistan armed forces and the state itself . It has significance for making the institution of the army free of any allegations of misuse of powers by any officers irrespective of his position and also give a clear message to every one from lower to top rank in the army that no one is over and above the process of accountability. Trial of Faiz Hameed will be an example for the whole institution of the army. Since former ISI chief has been taken into custody under the Army Act he will be tried by the military court , but he will get a fair trial as the process of court martial allows the officer facing the case to hire his counsel and defend against allegations. The charge -sheet of general (Retd) Faiz Hameed , will be of even more importance. It will give the correct idea as to what kind of violations he allegedly committed after retirement. The Inter Services Public Relations’ (ISPR) statement of Monday had hinted at ex- ISI chief violations of the Army Act after his retirement. This was the most important line of the ISPR statement . It is yet to be established either this line relates to May 9 mayhem . Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) founding chief , Imran Khan ‘s demand to set up a judicial commission if Faiz Hameed’s arrest was linked to May 9 violence at least give indication of the same case. General (Retd ) Faiz Hameed’s arrest indicates sense of worry in PTI ranks. PTI ‘s demand to firm a judicial commission for Faiz Hameed’s arrest may not yield result to Imran Khan ‘s desire as any military officer who faces allegations of violations of the Army Act is tried under the military court for a court martial.
