Gen (r) Faiz Hamid to become approver against Imran Khan?

The former head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General (r) Faiz Hamid’s lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq has stated that he cannot confirm whether the General will become an approver against former Premier Imran Khan, The News reported on Wednesday.

Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq said, "I cannot confirm such thing at all as the proceedings of the trial are covered within the scope of the Official Secrets Act.”

On being asked whether the former spymaster’s military trial has commenced, Ashfaq did not deny it, saying, “I have seen different media reports suggesting it [the military trial] has started. I am in no position to deny such reports.”

When questioned on the conclusion of the military trial, the former ISI chief’s counsel said that he can’t predict the exact time. “Possibly in a few weeks," he hinted.

Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq clarified that he, along with his two associates, are representing Gen (r) Faiz Hamid in the military trial.

On December 10, 2024, Faiz Hamid was indicted on multiple allegations, including engaging in political activities, Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

According to the military's media wing, Hamid was charged with engaging in political activities, violations of the Official Secret Act detrimental to the safety and interest of the state, misuse of authority and government resources and causing wrongful loss to a person(s).

The ISPR stated these violations have compromised state security and interests.

Recently, journalist Fakhar Durrani had said that Faiz Hamid’s military court trial on allegations of engaging in "political activities" and other charges has been initiated, with the first hearing held on December 13, 2024.

Taking on his YouTube channel Fact Check Pakistan, Durrani predicted, “The military trial of Faiz Hamid will be concluded within a month.”

On August 12, 2024, the Pakistan army arrested Faiz Hamid over allegations of land grabbing and snatching valuables from the owner of a Top City Housing Society, the ISPR statement said.

The ex-spymaster was apprehended following the petition filed by the Top City Housing Society's chief executive officer (CEO) Kanwar Moeez Khan in the Supreme Court On November 2023, in which Hamid was accused of land grabbing and stealing diamonds and gold during a raid.

In 2019, the then Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan picked Faiz Hamid as the head of the premier intelligence agency ISI. He served as Chief ISI for over two years.

It may be recalled here that the ruling party, particularly Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), alleged that Hamid had close ties with the PTI founder and had been facilitating the PTI inside and outside the parliament.