Former ISI Chief Faiz Hameed Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

On December 11, 2025, a military court in Pakistan sentenced former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (Retired) Faiz Hameed to 14 years in prison. This unprecedented verdict marks the first time a former head of the ISI has been court-martialed and convicted, highlighting a significant shift in Pakistan's military and political landscape. Hameed was found guilty on four charges: engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, misusing authority, and causing wrongful financial loss.

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Faiz Hameed served as the head of the ISI from 2019 to 2021, during the tenure of now-jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Hameed was known for his close ties to Khan, who was ousted from power in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote. Following Khan's removal, Hameed's influence waned, leading to his early retirement in December 2022. His arrest in August 2024 followed a Supreme Court-ordered inquiry into allegations of misconduct related to a private housing project known as the Top City scandal.

The New Arab

The court-martial proceedings against Hameed began on August 12, 2024, and lasted approximately 15 months. The military's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that Hameed was afforded all legal rights during the trial, including representation by a defense team of his choice. The charges against him included political interference, misuse of government resources, and actions deemed harmful to national security. The military court described the trial as "lengthy and laborious," ultimately finding him guilty on all counts.

Ex-ISI chief Faiz Hameed sentenced to 14 years in prison

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar emphasized that the verdict was based on substantial evidence, asserting that Hameed had crossed a "red line" and that no one is above the law. He further claimed that Hameed had acted as a political adviser to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party after his retirement, contributing to political instability. Tarar characterized the decision as a historic example of accountability within the military.

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Despite the military's assertions of due process, critics have raised concerns about the transparency of the proceedings, as details of the trial were not made public. Hameed's lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, stated that his client was "1,000% innocent" and indicated plans to appeal the verdict. The lack of public access to the trial has led to skepticism regarding the motivations behind Hameed's prosecution, particularly given his close association with Imran Khan.

BBC News

Hameed's conviction is seen as a significant development in the ongoing struggle between Pakistan's military and political entities. Analysts suggest that this ruling may signal a broader crackdown on military officials involved in politics, particularly those aligned with Khan. The military's actions against Hameed could indicate a shift in power dynamics, as Field Marshal Asim Munir consolidates authority within the military establishment.

Pakistan ex-ISI chief Faiz Hameed sentenced to 14 years

Hameed retains the right to appeal the military court's decision, with the first forum for appeal being the army chief. The military has also indicated that further investigations into Hameed's alleged political activities and involvement in unrest following Khan's arrest in May 2023 are ongoing. The outcome of these investigations could have further implications for Pakistan's political landscape and military accountability.

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• “The accused was tried on four charges related to engaging in political activities, violation of the Official Secrets Act detrimental to the safety and interest of the state, misuse of authority and government resources, and causing wrongful loss to individuals,” — ISPR Statement

TRT World

• “The process of self-accountability within the army is very strong, and everyone has now seen a clear example of it. […] Today’s decision is a victory of truth and justice.” — Attaullah Tarar, Information Minister

Dawn

• “As soon as we receive it, we will review it and immediately file a petition to appeal. Right now, the first forum for appeal is the army chief, so that is what we will do. We are hopeful that at the next forum we will present our case and obtain justice.” — Mian Ali Ashfaq, Hameed's Lawyer

BBC News