High-Profile Arrests: Ex-IG Prisons Punjab, Intelligence Officials Detained

Law enforcement agencies have arrested Shahid Saleem Baig, former IG Prisons Punjab, for his alleged links with retired Gen Faiz Hameed, who is undergoing a court-martial for a housing scam. Several other officials have also been detained in connection with Hameed’s trial. More arrests are anticipated.

Law enforcement agencies on Friday arrested Shahid Saleem Baig, the former Inspector General of Prisons for Punjab province, due to his alleged associations with retired General Faiz Hameed, the former ISI chief currently facing a court-martial over a housing scam.

Baig had served in his position for five years, retiring shortly before Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was imprisoned over a year ago. Baig was reportedly detained at his residence in Lahore's Shadman area during a raid by intelligence officials.

The intelligence agencies have also detained other officials, including Muhammad Akram, former Deputy Superintendent of Adiala Jail, and Nazim Ali Shah, Superintendent of the Rawalpindi DIG Jail office, on charges of assisting former premier Khan in prison.

Several retired officers are in custody in connection with Hameed's trial, which relates to post-retirement actions breaching the Army Act, based on complaints from a housing society owner in Islamabad.

Hameed, who was arrested on August 8, is considered close to Khan and faces allegations of aiding Khan in prison and working to destabilize the country through the PTI party.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that more arrests are expected regarding Hameed's court-martial in the coming days.

(With inputs from agencies.)