Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hameed was sentenced on Thursday to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment under the Army Act, marking a rare conviction of a senior military officer.
Hameed, who headed the ISI from 2019 to 2021, had been facing trial since August last year.
According to a statement from the military’s media wing, the court found him guilty of engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, misusing authority and government resources, and causing wrongful loss to various individuals.
The statement also said that Hameed’s problems may continue, as his alleged role in stirring political agitation and instability with the help of political groups is still under separate investigation.
Senior Journalist Shahzeb Khanzada said former ISI officer Faiz Hameed pushed political engineering in Pakistan to its highest level.
Speaking on the private media channel, the senior journalist said Pakistan has long faced issues of political manipulation, but Hameed “took it to its peak”. He said Hameed set a precedent by influencing the judiciary, pointing to the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Khanzada blamed Hameed for harming the country, democracy, media, judiciary, and even his own institution. He added that while the ISPR statement listed four charges, it is still unclear how the legal process will move forward on the accusations related to political interference.
“Faiz Hameed is a figure in Pakistan’s history who used his authority in ways that damaged the country and its democratic institutions,” Khanzada said.
“Life sentencing of former ISI chief Gen Faiz Hameed for involvement in politics is a good beginning. There shouldn’t be any room for the military’s involvement in police.” said Journalist Mubashir Zaidi.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called the former spymaster’s sentencing a “historic decision”.
Speaking to the media in Chiniot, he said the verdict shows that Faiz Hameed is “finally being held answerable for his crimes.”
Senior Journalist Mazhar Abbas wrote on X that the decesion regarding former ISI chief will have “far-reaching impact on Pakistani politics”.
“One has to wait and see what follows next. Today’s decision would certainly have a far-reaching impact on Pakistan’s politics. Can’t say but perhaps, he still has a right to appeal to the Supreme Court,” Abbas said.
“We still await to see the details of this important trial and verdict,” he added.
