Hassan Naqvi
LAHORE: Najaf Hameed, the elder brother of former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Lt Gen (retd). Faiz Hameed, was arrested in a corruption case on Monday.
On Monday, an accountability court took a case against him who reached court after a delay. Subsequently, the judge denied his interim bail request and ordered his arrest. The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) officials then took Najaf Hameed into custody and proceeded to Chakwal. He is set to appear before the court on Tuesday for physical remand.
Najaf Hameed, elder sibling to the former DG-ISI General (r) Faiz Hameed, faced termination from his position as Tehsildar last year. The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) officials in Chakwal lodged a case against him, citing charges related to fraud and forgery.
It is pertinent to mention that ACE had launched an inquiry against Sardar Najaf Hameed Khan, over allegations of receiving out-of-turn promotion and possessing assets beyond known sources of income on April 4, 2023.
In correspondence, the regional director ACE Rawalpindi communicated with the deputy commissioners (DC) of Rawalpindi and Chakwal, requesting the provision of land records owned by Najaf Hameed Girdawar.
“The inquiry number 100-E-2023 is underway by this establishment against the subject respondent with claims that he obtained promotions bypassing senior Girdawars and accumulated wealth beyond his legitimate means during his tenure as Naib Tehsildar,” stated the letter.
The regional director ACE Rawalpindi further urged the DCs of Chakwal and Rawalpindi to furnish details of Najaf Hameed Khan’s property to ACE for lawful proceedings.
Sources familiar with the inquiry informed The Frontier Post (TFP) that Najaf Hameed wielded significant influence in the Potohar region, especially from June 16, 2019, to November 19, 2021, coinciding with his brother’s tenure as DG ISI. Allegations suggest he acquired land unlawfully and amassed a substantial property portfolio, often utilizing his brother’s name and influential position for personal gain.
Najaf Hameed faced suspension due to misconduct, as per a directive issued by the commissioner Rawalpindi on February 13. At that time, he served as Naib Tehsildar in Chakwal and was immediately suspended “in public interest, on account of misconduct,” instructing him to report to the commissioner’s office without delay.
Additionally, on the same date, the finance department suspended 12 other officials, including four Girdawars and eight Patwaris, on similar grounds. These officials were directed to relinquish their duties immediately and report to the commissioner’s office in Rawalpindi division, as per the suspension orders.
