Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, former director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has firmly denied allegations made by the sacked Islamabad High Court judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui. These allegations involve claims of judicial manipulation in the Panama Papers case.
In a response submitted to the apex court, Hameed refuted visiting Siddiqui’s residence for any purpose related to the case. He emphasized that he never sought Siddiqui’s guidance to protect the ISI’s prestige by altering court orders.
Supreme Court Hearing and SJC’s Decision
A five-member Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, is set to hear Siddiqui’s petition. This bench includes Justices Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Irfan Saadat Khan.
The case arises following President Dr. Arif Alvi’s removal of Justice Siddiqui. This decision was based on the Supreme Judicial Council’s (SJC) recommendation. The SJC found Siddiqui’s conduct, particularly his accusations against secret agencies, unbecoming of a high court judge.
Ahead of the hearing, Faiz Hameed and Brig Irfan Ramay, also implicated in the case, submitted their responses. Former IHC Chief Justice Anwar Kasi also responded, denying any manipulation of judicial proceedings during his tenure. Hameed, in his reply, called Siddiqui’s allegations false and baseless. He clarified that he never inquired about the IHC’s procedures regarding appeals against accountability court orders.
Hameed also rejected Siddiqui’s claim that he expressed disappointment over the potential outcome of Nawaz Sharif’s case. He asserted that the composition of the bench for hearing appeals was the responsibility of the IHC chief justice, not Siddiqui. Hameed concluded by stating that the bench eventually suspended the sentences of Nawaz Sharif and his family, further disproving Siddiqui’s claims.
