Faiz’s trusted man leaves Pakistan as troubles mount

ISLAMABAD: A trusted frontman of Pakistan’s former spy chief Gen Faiz Hameed, Mohsin Habib Warraich, has allegedly left Pakistan to evade investigation into allegations of corruption and misuse of power against the former general by his own institution, according to reports.

Mohsin Habib Warraich is the son of former MNA and federal minister of defence production Major (R) Habibullah Warraich. Mohsin is the central figure of National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam involving over Rs2 billion. He lived in exile in London for a few years since 2010 until Gen Faiz brought him back to Pakistan after guaranteeing his safety and protection from the government and legal proceedings.

Mohsin is believed to be one of Gen Faiz’s closest aides, who managed business deals for the retired general starting from 2014 until now and relocated to Pakistan from London on Faiz’s request. They both became close in London whilst Faiz was a brigadier attending the UK Royal Defence College for two years. Mohsin arranged various things for Faiz, including shopping sprees and entertainment, according to people familiar with them. The trust level developed quickly because Faiz’s father-in-law and Mohsin’s father Habibullah Warraich were batch mates in Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul.

Pakistani intelligence sources have said Mohsin reached London via Dubai, and that they are keen to speak to him in relation to the high-profile investigation in which Gen Faiz is accused of abusing his power and raiding a private property development business during his time as head of the Inter-Services Intelligence.

While Faiz is in custody along with several of his retired military associates, reports said Mohsin is galivanting around in London in his convertible Rolls Royce, according to the intelligence sources who are keeping an eye on the developments. This is the same Rolls Royce that Faiz and his family members had been reportedly using during their London trips. Mohsin had first fled Pakistan for London in 2010 and avoided several orders of Pakistani courts to return to Pakistan. He decided to return after Gen Faiz managed the entire system to get him clean chit from the courts of law. After returning to Pakistan, Mohsin Warraich immediately became the “unofficial chief of staff” of Gen Faiz.

Throughout his time in Pakistan, Mohsin Habib Warraich enjoyed round-the-clock security arranged by Gen Faiz at the expense of Pakistani taxpayers, security officials have confirmed. He would often boast that the unmarked security vehicles escorting him were provided by Gen Faiz. A Pakistani intelligence source confirmed that Faiz used his muscle to get Mohsin a clean chit. Gen Faiz is in army’s custody and his version could not be taken, but he has previously denied any wrongdoing when allegations against him and his family members surfaced.

Sources close to Mohsin Warraich have denied any wrongdoing, saying Mohsin was free to travel anywhere in the world and has no legal restrictions on him for travel or legitimate business.