By Farmanullah
Accountability is the backbone of any institution, ensuring that individuals and departments are responsible for their actions, decisions, and performance. It fosters transparency, trust, and credibility, essential for building a positive reputation and maintaining stakeholder confidence. When institutions hold themselves and their members accountable, they promote a culture of excellence, encouraging high standards and continuous improvement. This also prevents abuse of power, mismanagement, and unethical behavior, protecting the institution’s integrity and resources.
Recently, the Pakistan Army demonstrated its commitment to accountability by conducting a detailed ‘Court of Inquiry’ against Faiz Hameed, a former high-ranking official. The inquiry aimed to verify complaints related to the Top City case, and as a result, appropriate disciplinary action was initiated against him. The army has acknowledged multiple incidents of violation of the Pakistan Army Act by Faiz Hameed after his retirement. Furthermore, three retired military personnel have been taken into custody for their alleged link with Faiz Hameed,
Meanwhile, some other sources report that 10 military personnel have been taken into custody in connection with Faiz Hameed.
According to ISPR, “Further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continuing,”
On the other hand Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh addressed the issue during a weekly briefing, saying the United States was aware of the reports and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with Pakistan.
She insisted that it was “really a Pakistan’s internal matter for them to speak to”.
Furthermore, Singh noted that the longstanding partnership between the two nations remains robust and emphasized that military and political leadership from both sides continue to engage in discussions on matters of mutual interest.” As you know, the US values our partnership with Pakistan,” she remarked, stressing that the two sides engage with both military and civilian leaders based on mutual interests.
Every institution should have a robust process of self-accountability in place. Pakistan army’s recent decision to initiate a process of self-accountability, as evident in the court martial of a high-ranking official, is a commendable step in this direction. By holding its personnel accountable for their actions, the army demonstrates its commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and service to the nation. This move sets a positive precedent for other institutions to follow, showcasing the importance of self-reflection, accountability, and transparency in building strong, resilient, and trustworthy organizations.