Sunday, December 22, 2024

Imran Khan’s former spy chief arrested in Pakistan as critics claim ‘purge’

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When Mr Khan was premier he named Mr Hameed to head the ISI in 2019. After Mr Khan was pushed out of power in a no-confidence vote in 2022 Mr Hameed announced his retirement the same year.

The military said it was acting on complaints brought by Top City, a housing project in Islamabad.

On May 12 2017, Pakistan’s Rangers, a paramilitary force, and officials from the ISI raided the office of Top City and the home of its owner Moeez Khan.

They said they took away valuables, including gold, diamond ornaments and money in connection with an alleged terrorism case.

However, Top City has accused Mr Hameed of stealing 4kg in gold and other valuables during the raid.

In April 2024, the military on the directions of the Supreme Court and ministry of defence formed an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations of misuse of authority against him.

In November, the court said that allegations of an “extremely serious nature” against him “cannot be left unattended” as they would undermine the reputation of the country’s institutions if they were proven to be true.

Adil Raja, the former Pakistan army major, who is currently in London in exile, said the military was using the Top City case as an excuse to take revenge against Mr Hameed for not testifying against Mr Khan since April last year.

“Faiz Hameed was arrested because he refused to give a statement against Imran Khan which the army could have used to keep the former prime minister in prison for a longer time,” Mr Adil said.

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