Pakistan's former ISI chief sentenced to 14 years by military court

Former ISI chief Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed - File Photo

In one of the most dramatic episodes in Pakistan's recent military history, former spymaster Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed has been sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment. The verdict, announced by the Inter Services Public Relations on Thursday, has exposed deep fractures inside Pakistan’s power structure and raised serious questions about the military’s internal accountability mechanisms.

According to ISPR, a Field General Court Martial found Hameed guilty of several violations of service rules and misconduct. The decision marks a stunning downfall for a man who once shaped political outcomes and internal security strategies from the shadows.

The FGCM proceedings began on August 12, 2024, under the Pakistan Army Act and continued for more than 15 months. Prosecutors pursued four major accusations. These included engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act in ways considered harmful to state security, abusing authority and state resources, and causing wrongful loss to individuals.

After what the army called “lengthy and laborious" hearings, the court convicted Hameed on every charge. The 14 year sentence was issued on December 11, 2025.

ISPR insisted the process met legal standards and said Hameed was allowed to choose his own defense team. Officials added that he maintains the right to appeal the ruling.

Authorities also revealed that Hameed’s alleged role in fueling political unrest, in coordination with certain political figures, is still being investigated. This statement has fueled speculation about the extent of institutional decay and factionalism inside Pakistan’s security establishment.

Hameed’s conviction is unprecedented for a country where powerful generals rarely face consequences, even when accused of political manipulation or misuse of authority. The judgment exposes Pakistan’s long standing struggle with civil military imbalance and highlights how deeply embedded interference and internal rivalries have become.

For a state already facing political chaos, economic collapse, and rising militancy, the sentencing of one of its most influential intelligence chiefs shows the scale of crisis within Pakistan’s military system itself.