Faiz Hameed, Pakistan’s former spy chief, was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a military court on Thursday, more than a year after he was put on trial on multiple charges that the military said included leniency in the country’s politics and violations of the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
A field general court tried retired Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, former director of Inter-Services Intelligence, under the Pakistan Army Act in a trial that lasted over 15 months, the military said.
“The accused was tried on four charges related to participation in political activities, violation of the Official Secrets Act prejudicing the security and interests of the state, abuse of authority and government resources, and causing unjustified loss to individuals,” the AP quoted the statement as saying.
The army further said the court found Hameed guilty on all counts after “long and arduous” court hearings. He added that all legal protocols had been followed and that Hameed had every right to defend himself, including representation by a lawyer of his choice.
The statement said Hameed has the right to appeal the decision to the relevant authority.
Hameed was taken into custody in 2024 after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered an internal investigation into allegations related to the so-called Top City project scandal. Top City was developing land near Islamabad for private housing.
Who is Faiz Hameed?
Hameed is a graduate of Command & Staff College. He served as the 29th Director General of the ISI from 2019 to 2021. An officer of the Baloch Regiment, he formerly commanded the 16th Infantry Division in Pano Aqil. His last appointment was as commander of the XXXI. corps, he held this position until he decided on early retirement on December 10, 2022.
Hamid is widely known to have been a close ally of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, who has been serving multiple sentences for bribery and other charges since his arrest in 2023. Khan was removed from office by a vote of no confidence in April 2022.
Meanwhile, before Hameed’s arrest, neither the government nor the military revealed the exact allegations against him. The report said the detention of such a prominent retired officer was remarkable in Pakistan, where the military wields considerable power and the arrest of senior or former military officials is unusual.
