Ex-ISI Chief Faiz Hameed Sentenced to 14 Years by Military Court; Political Agitation Allegations Under Separate Probe

Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed was on Thursday sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment by a military court, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced. The punishment follows a 15-month Field General Court Martial (FGCM) initiated on August 12, 2024, under the Pakistan Army Act.

According to the ISPR statement, Hameed was tried on four charges: engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act in ways deemed detrimental to state security, misuse of authority and government resources, and causing wrongful loss to individuals. After what the military described as “lengthy and laborious legal proceedings,” he was found guilty on all counts. The sentence was formally promulgated on December 11, 2025.

The military’s media wing stressed that all legal provisions were observed during the proceedings and that the former spymaster was afforded full rights, including representation by counsel of his choice. Under Section 133B of the Army Act, Hameed retains the right to appeal the conviction within 40 days to a court of appeals consisting of the army chief or officers designated by him.

ISPR further said that Hameed’s alleged role in “fomenting vested political agitation and instability” in coordination with political actors is being dealt with separately. The remarks follow earlier statements by ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who in October said that internal accountability processes rely on evidence, not allegations, and proceed only after meeting all legal requirements.

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Hameed’s arrest in August 2024 — triggered by accusations from the owner of a private housing society — ended the long-held perception that former spy chiefs were largely beyond accountability. In December 2024, he was indicted on three counts relating to political involvement, violation of anti-espionage laws and abuse of authority, marking the formal start of his FGCM trial. Investigations also examined his alleged links to political unrest surrounding the May 9, 2023 riots following Imran Khan’s arrest.

Following Thursday’s announcement, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the conviction was based on concrete evidence and that Hameed had been given “full opportunity” to defend himself. Calling the verdict “historic,” he reiterated allegations that Hameed acted as a political adviser to the PTI and misused his authority. Further investigations into political matters are ongoing, he added.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, reacting on X, remarked that the nation would “reap the harvest of the seeds sown” by Hameed and former army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa for years to come.