Lieutenant General (Retired) Faiz Hameed, who previously served as Director-General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by a military court. The verdict follows a court-martial proceedings that lasted 15 months, with charges including involvement in political activities and violation of the Official Secrets Act. This marks the first instance of a former head of Pakistan's ISI agency undergoing a court-martial.
Sentencing and Charges
A military court in Pakistan has sentenced Lieutenant General (Retired) Faiz Hameed, the former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, to 14 years in prison. The court-martial proceedings against General Hameed extended over a period of 15 months.
The charges on which General Hameed was tried include:
- Involvement in political activities.
- Violation of the Official Secrets Act, which reportedly harmed state interests.
- Misuse of powers and government resources.
- Causing harm to citizens.
Background of General Hameed
General Hameed served as the chief of the ISI from 2019 to 2021, a period that coincided with the premiership of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He took early retirement in 2022, following Mr. Khan's removal from office via a no-confidence vote. The position of ISI chief is widely regarded as the second most influential role within Pakistan's military structure.
Court Proceedings and Legal Recourse
The court-martial proceedings were conducted under the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act. Hearings were held behind closed doors, and specific details of the case have not been publicly disclosed.
According to statements released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the public relations arm of the Pakistani military, General Hameed was afforded the right to select his own defense team. He also retains the right to appeal the military court's decision in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which is designated as the appropriate forum for such appeals.
Related Investigations
In separate developments, General Hameed's alleged involvement in fostering political agitation and instability is reportedly being addressed. These allegations are understood to relate to protests that occurred on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.