Pak ex-ISI chief gets 14-year jail

A Field General Court Martial has sentenced former ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (retd) to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, signalling an unprecedented crackdown by Pakistan Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir on a once-powerful rival faction within the force. Hameed was considered close to the then Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa.The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement issued from Rawalpindi, said the court martial proceedings began on August 12, 2024, and stretched over 15 months.

Hameed, once considered among the most influential generals and a key player in Pakistan’s politics, was tried on four counts: engaging in political activity, violating the Official Secrets Act in a manner deemed detrimental to state security, misuse of authority and government resources, and causing wrongful loss to individuals.

The ISPR said the former general was found guilty on all charges after “lengthy and laborious” proceedings. It said the military court had “complied with all legal provisions” and allowed Hameed full legal representation. The sentence was promulgated on December 11. He retains the right to appeal.

The statement also noted that Hameed’s alleged role in “fomenting vested political agitation and instability” in coordination with political actors is being examined separately, hinting at possible additional action. Pakistani commentators have speculated that this refers to his purported links to political unrest following former PM Imran Khan’s arrest in May 2023.

Reacting to the development, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said the nation would reap the harvest of the seeds sown by Faiz Hameed and General Bajwa for years to come.