ISLAMABAD: Former Inter-Services Intelligence chief Faiz Hameed has filed an appeal against his sentencing by a military court, his lawyer confirmed on Monday. Speaking to Dawn, advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq said the defence had formally challenged the verdict. However, he declined to share details about the grounds of appeal. The development comes weeks after a Field General Court Martial sentenced the retired lieutenant general to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment on December 11.
The military court convicted Hameed on four counts, including violations of secrecy laws, post-retirement political activity, misuse of authority, and causing harm to others. Under Section 133B of the Pakistan Army Act, the convicted officer had a 40-day window to file an appeal, which he exercised within the stipulated period. Consequently, the case will now move into the military’s appellate process.
Military Appellate Process and Case Background
According to legal procedure, a Court of Appeals headed by a major general or above will first review the appeal. Subsequently, the army chief will have the authority to confirm, revise, or overturn the sentence. Historically, such appellate reviews have taken years to conclude, although timelines vary by case.
Announcing the conviction earlier, the Inter-Services Public Relations said the FGCM proceedings began on August 12, 2024, and continued for more than 15 months. The military stated that the court found Hameed guilty on all charges after extensive legal proceedings. Moreover, ISPR noted that allegations regarding his involvement in political agitation would be addressed separately.
Hameed, who retired in November 2022, became the first former ISI director general and only the second three-star general in Pakistan’s history to receive a jail sentence after a full military trial. The case originated from a 2017 complaint by property developer Kanwar Moeez Khan, who accused Hameed and other officers of orchestrating a raid, seizing valuables, and coercing payments. The matter resurfaced in 2023, leading to a formal inquiry and eventual arrest in August 2024.
