Ex-CJP Nisar denies any link to Gen Faiz, announces September homecoming

Saqib Nisar confirms he is currently in London and will return in September after visiting Scotland and Norway.

LONDON: 

Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar has refuted claims made on social media that his absence from the nation is related to the arrest of Lt. General (Retd.) Faiz Hameed, the former head of Pakistan's Premier Intelligence agency, who is facing a court martial after being taken into custody on charges of misconduct involving a private housing scheme.

Over the phone, Nisar confirmed his location in London to this reporter. "I'm here to meet my friends and family," he declared. In the first week of September, I will be returning to Pakistan after visiting Norway and Scotland. Regretfully, false information about me is being disseminated. I'm praying for the sanity of those who persecute and attack individuals without any justification.

The former CJP denied rumors on social media that he had fled to London and that he might be detained as part of a larger investigation into the retired general's arrest. He said that the claims made by certain individuals in the media were untrue.

The military announced two days ago that Gen. Faiz was placed under custody due to "multiple instances of violation" of the Army Act beyond his retirement in December 2022. It further stated, "Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid has been placed under military custody and the Field General Court Martial process has begun."

The Supreme Court ordered an investigation into the top officer last year after a land development company named Top City filed a petition alleging he had acquired ownership of several properties with his brother and had even blackmailed the company's owner. The military claimed it had acted in accordance with the court's orders.

Three more retired officers were placed under military arrest in relation to General (retd) Faiz's Field General Court Martial (FGCM) proceedings, the military announced on Thursday.

The retired officers were detained for their conduct that were detrimental to military discipline, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

It further stated that "investigations into specific retired officers and their associates for inciting unrest at the request of and in cooperation with vested political interests are ongoing."

According to sources, the retired colonel's name is Asim, and the two retired brigadiers' names are Ghaffar and Naeem. They served as go-betweens for a political party and the former spymaster.

The sources added that the two former brigadiers who were charged with facilitation were from Chakwal.

In the upcoming days, the administration has alluded to additional arrests.