ISLAMABAD: Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed (retd) has been sentenced to 14 years’ rigorous imprisonment by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM), the military announced on Thursday, marking one of the most dramatic and consequential accountability actions against a senior military figure in Pakistan’s history.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the former spymaster was convicted under multiple provisions of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, including breaches of discipline, misuse of authority, engaging in political activities, and conduct “detrimental to the safety and interest of the state”. He was also found guilty of offences under the Official Secrets Act relating to unauthorised handling of classified information.
The FGCM proceedings began on August 12, 2024, and continued for 15 months. Following what ISPR described as “lengthy and laborious legal proceedings”, the sentence was formally approved and promulgated on December 11, 2025. ISPR said Hameed was afforded all due legal rights, including representation by a defence team of his choice.
Under Section 133B of the Army Act, the former lieutenant general retains the right to appeal before the military appellate forum—comprising the army chief or officers designated by him—within 40 days.
The ISPR also noted that Hameed’s alleged “involvement in fomenting vested political agitation and instability in cohorts with political elements” was being pursued in separate proceedings.
Top City case: Ex-ISI chief Faiz Hameed taken into military custody, says ISPR
The sentencing of a retired three-star general—particularly one who served as ISI chief during some of the country’s most politically charged years—is unprecedented in scale. Hameed, a decorated officer from the Baloch Regiment, rose through intelligence assignments and became Director General of ISI in 2019. His tenure coincided with intense political turbulence, and he was widely regarded as a key power broker with close ties to the PTI government of the time.
Investigations into his conduct reportedly began after complaints about political interference, misuse of authority, and unauthorised actions beyond a military officer’s mandate. The inquiry later expanded to include allegations emerging from the Top City housing society case, involving purported extortion, unlawful raids, and misuse of state resources.
Prosecutors said his actions violated Section 55 (acts prejudicial to good order and military discipline), Section 52 (civil offences triable by court martial), and relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act.
The case against Hameed is rooted in a petition filed by Kanwar Moeez Khan, the CEO of the Top City housing society, before the Supreme Court in November 2023.
According to the petition, Pakistan Rangers personnel and ISI officials raided Moeez’s office and residence on May 12, 2017, seizing gold, diamonds, cash, and documents in connection with a purported terrorism case. The raid was reportedly conducted on the complaint of Zahida Javed Aslam, a UK national who alleged that Moeez—formerly her employee—had fraudulently transferred her properties into his own name.
An FIA report to the Supreme Court stated that Moeez used photocopies of original documents to transfer the land to himself.
Moeez alleged that Hameed’s brother, Sardar Najaf, attempted to mediate, and after Moeez’s acquittal by an anti-terrorism court, Hameed contacted him through a cousin, a serving brigadier, to negotiate the return of seized items. Hameed allegedly agreed to return some belongings but withheld 400 tolas of gold and cash. The petition also accused retired brigadiers Naeem Fakhar and Ghaffar of forcing Moeez to pay Rs4 crore and sponsor airtime for a private TV channel.
The Supreme Court directed the petitioner to pursue remedies before relevant forums, including the defence ministry.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the conviction as evidence-based and just, saying Hameed had been given “full opportunity” to defend himself.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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