The court martial proceedings have commenced against former spymaster Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed based on “strong evidence” uncovered during a thorough investigation, the military’s spokesperson said on Thursday.

“Following a detailed inquiry based on concrete evidence, the Pakistan Army announced on August 12, 2024, that the relevant officer [Gen Faiz] had violated sections of the Army Act,” ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said at a press conference in Rawalpindi.

In a 48-minute briefing, the DG ISPR elaborated on the court martial of the former spymaster as part of the military’s commitment to accountability while also addressing military operations in response to the deadly attacks that occurred in Balochistan on August 26, as well as the state of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.

Lt Gen Chaudhry stated that Gen Hameed had breached various sections of the Army Act. He confirmed that the former ISI chief, who was arrested last month, was found guilty of multiple violations, prompting the initiation of field general court-martial proceedings against him.

The August 12 statement of ISPR stated that the army complied with the orders of the Supreme Court, a detailed court of inquiry was undertaken by the Pakistan Army, to ascertain the correctness of complaints in the Top City Case made against Hameed.

In April, an inquiry committee was formed against Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid after a request from the owner of a private housing society. He was accused of misuse use of authority in the housing society. The committee was headed at the senior level by a major general.

Last year, the Supreme Court said that allegations against the former spy chief were of an “extremely serious nature” and “cannot be left unattended”.

Later, three retired military personnel were taken into custody for their alleged link with the former spymaster. “Ongoing investigations are looking into certain other retired officers and their accomplices for allegedly fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests,” the ISPR said on August 15.

Last month, former prime minister Imran Khans alleged a plot to move his case to a military court and accused Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed of being used as a “pawn to fabricate” evidence against him.

Faiz Hameed’s case was sent to the army through the defence ministry, the military’s spokesperson said and added that a high-level court of inquiry was established to investigate the Top City case before initiating a field general court martial.

He added that if anyone uses his position in the army for his benefit or pursues a political agenda, the army’s self-accountability mechanism will spring into action.

“There is a clear consensus within the army that it is a national, state-owned institution, which must be prevented from being used against the completion of goals related to specific political agendas”.

The general added that the arrested officers would be given rights including appointing a lawyer of their choice and right of appeal.

DG ISPR Gen Chaudhry said: “The case against Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed testifies that the Pakistan Army takes violations carried out for personal and political purposes very seriously and takes immediate action, without discrimination, according to the law.

He hoped that that such non-discriminatory self-accountability also persuade other institutions.

The ISPR DG went on to add the armed forces were “well aware of their professional duties” and “no compromise of any kind would be done on the national security.

“A secure Pakistan is the guarantee of a strong Pakistan,” he stated.

ISPR DG links Balochistan attacks to internal, external enemies

DG ISPR Lt Gen Chaudhry addressed the deadly terror attacks that occurred on August 26 in Balochistan, attributing them to “internal and external enemies and their enablers.” He noted that the attacks aimed to disrupt the region’s peaceful environment and development by targeting civilians.

A spate of terrorist attacks rocked the resource-rich but backward province late August 25. Militants killed over 40 civilians, including 23 in Musa Khel after identity check, in at least 12 places.

The banned Balochistan Liberation Army had claimed responsibility for the attack on Sunday midnight across the province. They also targeted security personnel. They stormed police stations, blew up railway tracks, and set fire to almost three dozen vehicles.

In response to such attacks, he said that security forces eliminated 21 terrorists, although they suffered the loss of 14 personnel in the process.

He acknowledged the existing sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan, which certain factions exploit under external influence. “These elements aim to derail ongoing development and public welfare efforts through instilling fear and panic,” he stated.

The DG ISPR firmly asserted that those behind the attacks and their orchestrators have no ties to Islam, humanity, or Baloch traditions.

Counterterrorism operations

Lt Gen Chaudhry provided an update on the ongoing counterterrorism efforts in Pakistan. He stated that security forces conducted a total of 32,173 intelligence-based operations in the first eight months of 2024, with 4,021 operations occurring just in the past month. Such efforts resulted in the “neutralisation of 90 individuals identified as ‘Khawarij’.”

He emphasised the collaborative efforts of the Pakistan Army, police, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies, noting that they carry out over 130 operations daily to combat terrorism.

The military’s spokesperson also acknowledged the sacrifices made by security personnel, stating that 193 soldiers martyred over the last eight months. He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to continue the fight against “Fitna al-Khawarij” and terrorism until the last terrorist is eradicated.

“The war against terrorism will continue until the last extremist is eliminated,” he said and added that the militants killed last month included “Abuzar, a high-profile militant leader also known as Saddam.”

The DG ISPR reiterated the army’s stance on the events of May 9 and emphasised that there “will be no change in its position.”

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He condemned the attacks on military installations and the desecration of national symbols, stating that those responsible would be held accountable under the law.

The DG ISPR stated that legal action would be taken against those spreading misinformation and propaganda, particularly on social media.

“The army is committed to combating digital terrorism and ensuring transparency,” he said, “the Pakistan Army is a national army and has no political agenda. The army does not support or oppose any political party.”