In a landmark decision that has reverberated throughout Pakistan’s political and military landscape, a military court has sentenced retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, the former Director-General of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, to 14 years in prison following a prolonged court-martial trial.
The conviction handed down on Thursday by a Field General Court Martial found Hameed guilty on four major charges, including engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, misusing authority and government resources, and causing wrongful loss to private individuals.
The military statement announcing the verdict stated that the lengthy trial, which lasted about 15 months, followed all legal procedures and provided the defendant full rights of defense. Hameed retains the right to appeal the decision to a higher forum.
Hameed, who served as ISI chief from 2019 to 2021, was detained in August 2024 after a court of inquiry was ordered by Pakistan’s Supreme Court into allegations tied to the Top City housing project scandal, along with other alleged violations of military law.
Observers say this is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former head of the ISI has been court-martialed and handed such a substantial prison sentence, underscoring the seriousness with which Pakistan’s military leadership has treated the case.
Security analysts view the verdict both as a message on enforcing the apolitical nature of military service and as part of broader institutional efforts to assert discipline across the armed forces. However, critics argue the proceedings reflect deepening internal power struggles within Pakistan’s security establishment particularly given Hameed’s known past association with former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned on multiple charges since 2023.
