Sentencing of Former ISI Chief Faiz Hameed
Pakistan's former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency chief, Lieutenant General (Retired) Faiz Hameed, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by a military court. This marks the first instance of a former ISI chief undergoing a court-martial in Pakistan's history.
Background and Charges
General Hameed led the ISI from 2019 to 2021 during the premiership of now-jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. He took early retirement shortly after Mr. Khan was removed from office via a no-confidence vote in 2022.
The charges against General Hameed 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
Court Proceedings and Rights
The court-martial proceeding, which lasted 15 months, was conducted under the Pakistan Army Act. The hearings were held behind closed doors, and specific details of the case have not been made public.
According to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the public relations arm of the Pakistani military, General Hameed was afforded the right to a defense team of his choosing. He also retains the right to appeal the decision in the appropriate forum, which would be the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Related Allegations
Separately, General Hameed's alleged involvement in fostering political agitation and instability is being addressed. This is believed to relate to allegations connecting him to protests that occurred following Imran Khan's arrest on May 9, 2023.