A seismic event has rocked Pakistan, as a military court delivered a stunning verdict: retired Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, once the powerful head of the nation’s intelligence agency (ISI), has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. This groundbreaking decision follows a rigorous 15-month court-martial, marking a truly unprecedented moment in Pakistan’s history where senior military figures are rarely brought to such public account.
General Hameed faced a quartet of serious charges that struck at the core of military conduct and national security. These included engaging in unauthorized political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act – a critical offense against state interests – misusing his considerable authority and government resources, and causing wrongful financial loss to various individuals. The military stated that after “lengthy and laborious” legal proceedings, he was unequivocally found guilty on all four counts.
Transparency was emphasized throughout the process; the military confirmed that the court-martial adhered to all legal requirements, ensuring Hamed was afforded full rights to his defense, including choosing his own legal counsel. He retains the right to appeal this significant judgment through the appropriate channels.
The case gained widespread attention due to General Hameed’s prominent association with former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned on various charges. Hameed’s initial detention last year, which stemmed from an internal probe into allegations linked to the “Top City project scam” involving a private housing development, had already set the stage for this high-profile trial.
The conviction of such a decorated and influential retired officer is a stark departure from the norm in Pakistan, where the military’s power is immense and its internal workings often remain shielded. This verdict underscores a potential shift towards greater accountability, even within the country’s most powerful institutions.
