After the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC), reports are emerging that Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, who is one of the top military officers of Pakistan, has decided on early retirement.
The reports of Lt. Gen Faiz Hameed allegedly mulling early retirement are making the rounds on social media in Pakistan as questions arise over the reasons.
Read more: Video of Lt Faiz Hameed dancing with other officers goes viral
Pertinent to mention that Lt. Faiz Hameed was among the top six officers nominated for the post of Chief of Army Staff and the joint chiefs of staff committee. However, Lt. Gen Asim Munir was appointed the new COAS, and Lt. Gen Sahir Shamshad was made the CJCSC.
This is the beginning of a story which will be nearly as interesting as the adventures of Faiz Hameed before retirement. https://t.co/BP9BbowfSE
— Abdul Moiz Jaferii (@Jaferii) November 26, 2022
Lt General Faiz Hameed set to retire before time now. Reasons are obvious. Is he joining politics soon afterwards or merely trying to be away from public scrutiny???
— Mubasher Lucman (@mubasherlucman) November 26, 2022
Lieutenants General Azhar Abbas and Lieutenants General Faiz Hameed are considering early retirement from service after appointment of the new army chief and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), according to local media reports.
— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) November 26, 2022
Earlier, it was also reported that Pakistan Army’s Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lt General Azhar Abbas had sought early retirement as well. Lt Gen Azhar Abbas’ brother confirmed to the media that he has sought earlier retirement to maintain his grace, honor, and dignity as a decorated officer of the Pakistan Army. Lt Gen Azhar Abbas was also among the top six army officers nominated for COAS and CJCSC posts.
Lt Gen Faiz Hameed is currently serving as Bahawalpur Corps Commander. Previously, he served as commander of the Peshawar Corps for less than a year. He also served as DG ISI for two-and-a-half years before being promoted to the rank of Lt Gen.
Read more: Lt. General Faiz Hameed’s new appointment
He gained traction for his visit to Kabul last year which sparked great interest across the region. As the then DG of ISI, Faiz Hameed held key meetings on mutual cooperation with the Taliban amid the historic US troops pullout from Afghanistan. At that time, the Taliban did not form an official government yet and DG ISI flew to Kabul to meet his counterpart.