Former ISI Chief Sentenced by Military Court
Pakistan's former spy chief, Faiz Hameed, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by a military court. The charges against him include violating state secrets and interfering in politics. This marks the first instance of an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief in Pakistan undergoing a court-martial.
Background of Faiz Hameed
Faiz Hameed served as the head of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from 2019 to 2021. This period coincided with the tenure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated. Hameed was noted for his support of Khan and retired prematurely following Khan's removal from power via a no-confidence vote in 2022. The ISI chief position is widely considered the second most influential role within Pakistan's military structure.
Court-Martial Proceedings and Charges
The court-martial proceedings against Hameed commenced on August 12, 2024, under the Pakistan Army Act, and lasted for 15 months. According to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the public relations arm of the Pakistani military, Hameed was tried on four specific charges:
- 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.
Legal Process and Appeals
The ISPR statement confirmed that Hameed was granted the right to select his own defense team. He also retains the right to appeal the court's decision in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which is designated as the appropriate forum for such appeals.
Details of the case have not been made public, as the hearing was conducted behind closed doors within a military court setting.
Additional Investigations
The ISPR also indicated that Hameed's alleged involvement in fostering political agitation and instability is being addressed through separate investigations. This is understood to relate to allegations connecting Hameed to protests that occurred on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of Imran Khan.