Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general and retired three-star general Faiz Hameed has been handed 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, marking one of the most consequential military convictions in Pakistan’s recent history. A field general court martial found him guilty of political interference, misuse of authority, illegal use of state resources, violations of the Official Secrets Act, and involvement in activities that harmed individuals.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the conviction follows a 15-month-long trial conducted under the Pakistan Army Act. The military also confirmed that issues related to his “collusion with political elements and role in political agitation” remain under investigation, indicating more proceedings may follow.
From Powerful Insider to Controversial Public Figure
General Faiz Hameed was once considered one of the most influential power players in Pakistan. His national profile rose sharply in 2017 when he acted as the key negotiator during the Faizabad sit-in led by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). As guarantor of the agreement that ended the protest, he demonstrated unusual political reach for a serving military officer and quickly became a name widely recognised across the country.
His closeness to former prime minister Imran Khan further cemented his prominence. Khan appointed him Director General of the ISI in 2019, placing him in what many view as the most powerful office in the military after the army chief. His tenure lasted until 2021 and was marked by heightened visibility, including the viral moment when he was seen sipping tea in a Kabul hotel lobby after the Taliban takeover — a symbolic image that circulated globally.
Beyond intelligence roles, Hameed commanded the Peshawar and Bahawalpur Corps, adding to his influence within the army’s upper ranks.
Legal Trouble Sparked by 2017 Raid Allegations
His downfall began after a November 2023 petition reached the Supreme Court. Moeez Ahmed Khan, owner of the Top City housing society, alleged that on May 12, 2017, ISI and Rangers personnel raided his property and seized diamonds, gold, cash, and sensitive records.
In August 2024, the Supreme Court ruled the allegations “serious in nature” and impossible to dismiss. By this time, Faiz Hameed had already retired, but the ruling opened the door for the army to take him into custody and initiate formal proceedings.
The subsequent court martial became one of Pakistan’s highest-profile military trials. Hameed is now only the second lieutenant general — and the first former ISI chief — ever to face such charges in a military court.
ISPR confirmed that he was convicted on several counts related to political meddling, authority abuse, and actions deemed harmful to national interests. Additional inquiries into related political matters remain underway, suggesting his legal troubles may not yet be over.
A Rare and Historic Conviction
Faiz Hameed’s conviction is seen as a pivotal moment for the Pakistan Army, which rarely prosecutes officers of such seniority. For a decade, he stood at the center of political storms, policy debates, and controversies that shaped national discourse. His sentencing marks a dramatic reversal of fortune for a man once regarded as a key architect of Pakistan’s power dynamics.
