My immediate reaction to the arrest of former ISI Director General, Lt General Faiz Hameed, was, “the noose has tightened around Imran Khan’s neck.”
The initial ISPR statement outlined two main areas of concern. The first involved corruption charges related to Top City. The second addressed violations of the Army Act following Faiz Hameed’s early retirement. The presser clearly stated that these violations have been established, leading to his being miliary arrest. Field Court Martial proceedings are underway. Rapidly unfolding events now seem to connect this arrest also with the attacks on Pakistan Army installations on May 9, 2023.
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It is well-known that Lt General Faiz Hameed was closely associated with PTI. Over the years, through fifth-generation warfare, PTI has deepened the divide between society and its armed forces, to the army’s detriment. This has sown a seed of hatred in many hearts against the military, with some claiming that this narrative has held Pakistan’s economy hostage to the party’s interests.
Current COAS Asim Munir was DG ISI during Khan’s tenure. He was abruptly dismissed from this position when he reported corruption by those close to Khan to him. Khan’s vehement opposition to the reassignment of Faiz Hameed from his earlier position as DG ISI was telling. To become COAS, Faiz Hameed needed command experience, as his name was in consideration for the position of future COAS.
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One theory suggests that the May 9th attacks were an attempt to unseat Asim Munir as COAS. The attacks on army installations were expected to provoke the COAS into a forceful response, perhaps even opening fire on the perpetrators. However, the army chose a different approach. Still, such open violence or mutiny is unacceptable anywhere in the world, and Pakistan is no exception.
The benefits to those involved are obvious and require no elaboration. As a consequence of 9th May, two Corps Commanders, one from Lahore and one from Mangla, were dismissed. How accurate this theory is, and the extent of each party’s involvement, is for the courts to determine.
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What is clear, however, is that the army’s top brass is united on this issue. Ideologically, the COAS is firm that any actions that destroy the fabric of society and create hatred among stakeholders to the country’s detriment will not be tolerated. This applies not only to PTI members but also to other facilitators from any segment of society.
This is an unfolding story & other arrests are expected.
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The writer is a lawyer, academic and political analyst. She has authored a book titled ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media & Media Laws in Pakistan.’ She can be contacted at: yasmeenali62@gmail.com and tweets at @yasmeen_9
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