General trouble

With the start of Field General Court Martial (FGCM) proceedings against former director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt-Gen (r) Faiz Hameed, three more retired army officers have been taken into custody by the military for “actions prejudicial to military discipline”. Further investigations of some retired officers and their accomplices “for fomenting instability at the behest of, and in collusion with, vested political interests, are continuing”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Thursday. In another development, former Adiala jail deputy superintendent Malik Mohammad Akram was also picked up on charges of abetting former prime minister Imran Khan, acting as a communication link between the PTI founder chairman and his associates, both inside and outside the prison. The implications of these arrests are profound, hinting at a nexus of support that Imran Khan may have had within the system. Although the full charges remain undisclosed, the allegations against these men suggest an alarming level of influence that retired officials may have wielded over key institutions.

It is thought that, even though Hameed’s arrest is related to a private housing society, the other set of allegations against him were about his activities post-retirement, which may well be related to Imran Khan as well. Of course, these are all speculations at the moment. As expected, Imran Khan has distanced himself from Gen Faiz and said that he has no connection with him. He has urged the military to ensure accountability is applied across the board, an attempt to deflect attention from the potential fallout these arrests may have on his political fortunes. However, political observers say that the echoes of Gen Faiz’s deep entanglement with the PTI government are impossible to ignore including his alleged role in securing votes, managing Senate proceedings, and other undisclosed activities under Khan’s tenure as prime minister – which many say are well-documented. The question is not just about accountability but the broader implications of such unchecked power. In a country where accountability has often been selective, the public deserves transparency regarding the charges against Gen Faiz Hameed and others. If these allegations are substantiated, the evidence must be laid bare. If such a scenario proves true, it would be a tragic indictment of the state’s institutions and a blow to the principles of justice and democracy.

The stakes are high. If Gen Faiz’s arrest marks the beginning of a broader cleansing within the system, it could restore some faith in institutional integrity. But for that to happen, the process must be transparent. Accountability, especially at this level, cannot be cloaked in secrecy. The credibility of this investigation rests on whether the truth is brought to light. The fact is that Pakistan has reached a critical juncture. The allegations against these men, if proven, reveal a dangerous confluence that must be dismantled for the sake of the country’s democratic future. But to do so, the public needs to see the evidence, not just whispers and rumours. Anything less would only deepen the shadows that have long loomed over Pakistan’s political landscape.