Ex-ISI Chief Faiz Hameed Sentenced to 14 Years in Landmark Military Court Verdict
Pakistan’s former intelligence chief has been handed a 14-year prison sentence by a military court on charges ranging from leaking state secrets to meddling in political affairs.
Faiz Hameed, who headed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from 2019 to 2021 during Imran Khan’s premiership, was widely viewed as a close ally of the now-imprisoned former prime minister. He took early retirement after Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote in 2022.
His conviction marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that an ISI chief has faced a court martial — a role often considered the second most powerful within the military establishment.
According to a statement from the military’s public relations wing (ISPR), the court martial process lasted 15 months, beginning on 12 August 2024, under the Pakistan Army Act.
Hameed was charged with four offences: engaging in political activities, breaching the Official Secrets Act in a way that allegedly damaged state interests, abusing his authority and government assets, and causing harm to citizens.
The ISPR noted that he was allowed to select his own defence team and retains the right to appeal the verdict before the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Because the proceedings were held in a closed military court, details of the evidence presented have not been made public. The statement also mentioned that a separate process is addressing accusations linking Hameed to political unrest — believed to relate to claims he was involved in the protests following Imran Khan’s arrest on 9 May 2023.