In a move that’s shaking up Pakistan’s power corridors, the military has slapped a 14-year prison sentence on Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, once the shadowy head of the country’s intelligence agency. This isn’t just any conviction—it’s the first time a former ISI director general has faced a full court-martial, signaling that even the most influential figures might not escape accountability these days. For those tracking the twists in Pakistan’s military-politics tango, this feels like a pivotal chapter.
Hameed, who steered the Inter-Services Intelligence from 2019 to 2021, built a reputation as a close ally to ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan. His fall from grace started brewing after Khan’s ouster in 2022, with whispers of overreach and meddling growing louder. Now, with this ruling out in the open, questions swirl about what it means for the generals who pull strings from the shadows.
Breaking Down the Charges: What Got Him Here?
The Field General Court Martial didn’t hold back. Over 15 months of closed-door deliberations, Hameed was nailed on four serious counts under the Pakistan Army Act. Let’s lay them out clearly:
- Dipping into politics: Accused of stirring up political activities that crossed lines no uniform should touch.
- Breaching state secrets: Violations of the Official Secrets Act that allegedly jeopardized national security and interests.
- Abusing power: Misusing his authority and state resources for personal or unauthorized gains.
- Harming others: Causing undue losses or damage to individuals through his actions.
These aren’t abstract gripes—they tie back to real-world fallout, like the messy Top City housing scandal where extortion claims surfaced, prompting a Supreme Court probe that snowballed into this military reckoning. Picture a top spy chief, meant to safeguard the nation, instead entangled in schemes that erode trust. It’s a stark reminder of how blurred lines can lead to big consequences.
The trial kicked off on August 12, 2024, right after his arrest that summer. From day one, Hameed had his shot at a defense—picking his own legal team and laying out arguments in a process the army insists was airtight. Guilty on all fronts, the sentence dropped on December 11, 2025: 14 years of rigorous imprisonment. But it’s not over yet—he’s got 40 days to appeal, first to the army chief and potentially up to the Supreme Court.
The Road to the Courtroom: A Timeline of Turmoil
Hameed’s story reads like a thriller scripted in Islamabad’s backrooms. Rising through the ranks, he became ISI DG during Khan’s tenure, often credited (or blamed) for shaping the government’s security playbook. When Khan fell, so did Hameed’s protections—he retired early, but the scrutiny didn’t stop.
Fast-forward to mid-2024: A land-grab petition in the Supreme Court spotlights alleged theft and coercion in a luxury housing project. Three other retired officers got swept up too, but Hameed was the marquee name. The army launched its own inquiry, leading to formal charges by December. Layer on suspicions of his hand in the chaotic May 9, 2023, riots—sparked by Khan’s arrest, with mobs torching military sites—and you’ve got a powder keg.
That political angle? It’s simmering on a back burner. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) made it clear: separate probes are underway into Hameed’s alleged role in fanning unrest alongside political players. No stone unturned, apparently. This split-handling keeps the focus tight on the military code violations for now, but it leaves room for more fireworks.
Voices from the Storm: Reactions Pour In
Word of the verdict hit like a thunderclap, drawing sharp takes from all sides. Hameed’s lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, didn’t mince words: “He’s 1,000% innocent—this is the court’s call, but we’ll fight it.” Appeal plans are already in motion, underscoring the raw emotions at play.
On the government bench, cheers rang out. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dubbed it a “historic” win for justice, stressing the ironclad evidence and Hameed’s full chance to defend himself. “No one’s above the law,” Tarar said, pointing fingers at Hameed’s supposed gig as PTI’s shadow strategist—plotting chaos and undermining the state. He wrapped it up with a nod to the army’s self-policing: “This is truth and justice prevailing.”
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif chimed in on X, with a pointed jab: “The nation will reap the harvest of seeds sown by Faiz Hameed sahib and [ex-army chief] Bajwa for years.” Ouch. Even ISPR’s Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who’d teased the process back in October 2024, framed it as a logical close to evidence-driven accountability.
Critics, though? They’re eyeing it warily. For years, ISI chiefs operated in a bubble of impunity—Hameed’s the first to pierce that. Is this genuine reform, or a targeted hit on Khan loyalists? The jury’s out, but the buzz is undeniable.
Ripples Across Pakistan: Accountability or Power Play?
This sentencing lands at a tense crossroads for Pakistan. The military’s long cast a giant shadow over civilian rule, with spy chiefs like Hameed often accused of puppeteering elections and protests. A 14-year term for one of their own? It chips away at that invincible aura, potentially emboldening calls for broader transparency.
Yet, skeptics point to the timing—amid ongoing PTI crackdowns and economic woes—as a possible flex against opposition. Stats from past unrest, like the 2023 riots that injured hundreds and torched installations, highlight the stakes: instability costs billions and erodes public faith. If Hameed’s political ties unravel further, it could reshape alliances in the National Assembly or even nudge judicial reforms.
For everyday Pakistanis, it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, seeing a bigwig held accountable feels cathartic—finally, someone answers for the mess. On the other, it stirs unease about opaque military trials. As one analyst put it (echoing broader sentiment), “This sets a precedent, but only if it sticks.”
Whatever unfolds next—appeals, fresh probes—it’s clear the old playbook’s fraying. Pakistan’s wrestling with its demons, and verdicts like this might just force a rewrite.
Keen to stay ahead of these unfolding stories? Follow us on Facebook and WhatsApp for real-time updates straight to your feed.
