NEWS of Faiz Hameed’s arrest and the court martial proceedings against the former DG of ISI and Corps Commander Peshawar, on allegations of corruption, financial irregularities and misuse of authority—particularly linked to the Top City housing scheme—has taken the nation by utter surprise. Since the inception of Pakistan, such action against a retired general is unheard of. Even if such actions had been taken, they were not made public or spun in the media. The surprise was not due to the charges of land extortion, graft, making illegal money, or political manoeuvring, which have been frequently levelled in the recent past against many high-ranking officers, including General (R) Qamar Javed Bajwa and Lt. General (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa, among others. Yet, no such warranted action had been taken against any of them.
In the past, allegations of corruption were made against General Akhtar Abdur Rahman Khan, the former Director-General of ISI and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, for fund misuse during the 1980s Afghan War. Lt. Gen. Zahid Ali Akbar Khan, Chairman of WAPDA, was investigated by NAB in the early 2000s for corruption and amassing wealth beyond known sources, leading to a plea bargain in 2015. Lt. Gen. Javed Ashraf Qazi, who held significant positions including ISI Director-General and Minister for Railways, faced NAB allegations in 2012 for leasing railway land at below-market rates, but no conclusive military disciplinary action followed.
Analysts believe and hope that this highly critical, long-awaited, and correct step by the army leadership, unlike in the past, will not stop with this prominent arrest but will continue until all military ranks and files are completely clear of this menace. The tone and tenor of the current leadership also indicate that the army will take a deeper look into the nexus between the military, civilian business, commerce and trade, which ultimately results in allegation of gratification. The leadership might also delve deeper into allegations of the military’s involvement in supporting, abetting and facilitating smuggling, illegal liquor and narcotics trade. The army may also take decisive steps to isolate itself from the social, cultural and economic management of the border areas, leaving this responsibility to the civilian administration and politicians.
It is perhaps time for the army leadership to require generals and high-ranking officers to publicly declare their assets and those of their immediate family members every year. This requirement should also extend to all civil servants, including members of national and provincial assemblies and the senate. While the income tax return of a business person may have some reason to be kept private, there are no apparent reasons for civil and army officers and public servants to keep their income and wealth tax declarations secret. In addition, the data from NADRA and other statistical data gathered at national and provincial levels, as well as internationally, should be linked to trace any business transactions, property deals, company formations, or investments in stock exchanges made by all public and civil officers and their close relatives. This information should be made public every year without fail. Any discrepancies should be disclosed, and both public and civil servants should be held accountable for accumulating wealth beyond their known means of income.
Analysts are also confident that the current military leadership will investigate the children of all public and civil servants (both army and civilians) who are studying abroad at exorbitant costs. They believe that many of these individuals cannot afford such expenses based on their known sources of income. This scrutiny aims to ensure transparency and accountability across all levels of public service. It is an admitted fact that the indulgence of Pakistan Army into business commerce, trade, banking, agriculture, construction, real estate and large scale manufacturing has contributed immensely in the progress and development of the country, besides absorbing retired armed forces personnel in employment and in providing relief to the families of the martyrs. However some short-sighted critics argue that retired comrades and the families of the martyred receive generous pensions, significant official benefits, including financial compensation and education allowances. Therefore extensive involvement of the military in civilian commercial activities is without any justification. Critics argue that the military’s engagement in civilian businesses distorts the market due to its access to resources and influence not available to private competitors, creating an uneven playing field and potential conflicts of interest. This involvement also diverts the military’s focus and resources from its primary defence responsibilities. They advocate for alternative models, such as pension funds and insurance programs, which many other countries use to achieve similar objectives more transparently and equitably. By addressing these issues, the military could better maintain its focus on national defense, public trust, and economic fairness while minimizing corruption. Analysts, whether supportive or critical of the military’s business involvement, uniformly praise the army leadership for initiating a comprehensive accountability process following the May 9 attacks on military installations. They believe this accountability effort should persist until the military, viewed as a disciplined and respected institution, is fully purged of corrupt practices.
The implications of this arrest are profound, signalling a move towards greater accountability and transparency within the military. It sets a precedent that even high-ranking officers are not above the law and can be held accountable for their actions. This arrest could serve as a deterrent, indicating that corruption and misconduct will not be tolerated regardless of rank or position. Additionally, this action may positively impact public perception of the military and reinforce high standards of integrity. The hope is that this arrest marks the start of a broader effort to address corruption at all levels within the military, with consistent and fair enforcement of accountability measures being crucial to maintaining momentum and achieving lasting change.
—The writer is a former Press Secretary to the President.
