Post by : Rameen Ariff

Pakistan’s former spy chief Faiz Hameed has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by a military court on multiple charges, including violation of state secrets and interference in politics. Hameed, who served as the head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from 2019 to 2021 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has long been regarded as a staunch supporter of Khan. He took early retirement shortly after Khan was removed from office in a no-confidence vote in 2022.

This marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former ISI chief has faced a court-martial. The ISI chief is considered the second most powerful position in Pakistan’s military hierarchy, making this development particularly significant. The military’s public relations arm, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed that the 15-month-long court-martial proceedings began on August 12, 2024, under the Pakistan Army Act.

Hameed was tried on four charges: involvement in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act in a manner detrimental to the state, misuse of powers and government resources, and causing harm to citizens. The ISPR emphasized that Hameed had the right to choose his defence team and retains the right to appeal the court’s decision in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The military court proceedings were held behind closed doors, and specific details of the case have not been publicly released. The ISPR statement noted that Hameed’s alleged role in fomenting political unrest and instability is being examined separately, which is believed to relate to his alleged involvement in protests following Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023.

Hameed’s sentencing is expected to have significant political and military implications in Pakistan, highlighting ongoing tensions between former government supporters and the military establishment. Analysts say the ruling underscores the powerful role of Pakistan’s military in shaping political dynamics, particularly when former intelligence officials are involved.

This unprecedented decision draws attention to the accountability mechanisms within Pakistan’s military and the judicial consequences faced by even the highest-ranking officials when charged with misuse of power or violations of state security.

#Global News