Islamabad, 11 December 2025
By Shahzada Ibrahim, Editor-in-Chief, CSNN Asia
In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s political and military establishment, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Faiz Hameed, former Director-General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by a Field General Court Martial.
This unprecedented judgment marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former ISI chief has been held legally accountable through a military judicial process. Analysts describe the verdict as a pivotal moment that signals increased scrutiny of Pakistan’s most influential security institutions.
Hameed, who served as ISI chief from 2019 to 2021 under former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was convicted on charges including engaging in political activities after retirement, violating the Official Secrets Act, misuse of authority and state resources, and causing financial loss to individuals.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the proceedings—conducted under the Pakistan Army Act—spanned 15 months and adhered to formal military judicial protocols. ISPR confirmed that Hameed was provided full rights to defense and retains the right to appeal before higher military courts or Pakistan’s civilian judiciary.
Defense and political analysts stress that although the case is formally confined to the military’s internal disciplinary framework, its implications extend far beyond. Hameed was long regarded as one of the most strategically influential figures within Pakistan’s intelligence community, and his conviction suggests a recalibration of civil–military power dynamics.
The verdict comes at a time when former Prime Minister Imran Khan is himself facing multiple legal battles. Khan is currently serving a 14-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case and faces additional charges related to alleged orchestrated attacks on military installations by members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Hameed’s previous political proximity to Khan magnifies the significance of the ruling, particularly in the context of Pakistan’s evolving political landscape.
Observers widely describe the judgment as a historic assertion of accountability, reinforcing legal and institutional boundaries that restrict retired military officials from engaging in political activity. Many view it as a defining development in Pakistan’s contemporary governance challenges, with potential long-term effects on the country’s political discourse and civil–military relations.
