Pakistan’s former spy chief Faiz Hameed sentenced to 14 years in prison—here’s why

Faiz Hameed, Pakistan’s former spy chief, was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a military court on Thursday, more than a year after court-martial proceedings began against him on multiple charges, including indulging the country’s politics and violating the Official Secrets Act (OSA), according to the military. Faiz Hameed, the former Director of Inter-Services Intelligence, was tried under the Pakistan Army Act in a 15-month-long campaign, the statement said. “The accused was tried on four charges related to participation in political activities, violation of the Official Secrets Act prejudicing the security and interests of the state, abuse of authority and government resources, and causing unlawful loss to individuals,” AP quoted the statement as saying. The army further said the court found Hameed guilty on every charge after “long and arduous” legal hearings. It added that all legal protocols had been followed and that Hameed had been given full rights to defend himself, including representation by a lawyer of his choice. The statement noted that Hameed has the right to appeal the decision before the appropriate authority. Hameed was arrested in 2024 after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered an internal investigation into allegations related to the so-called Top City project scandal. The Top City firm has developed land near Islamabad for a private housing scheme. Who is Faiz Hameed? Hameed is a graduate of the Command & Staff College. He served as the 29th Director General of the ISI from 2019 to 2021. An officer of the Baloch Regiment, he previously commanded the 16th Infantry Division in Pano Aqil. His final appointment was as commander of the XXXI Corps, a position he held until he opted for early retirement on 10 December 2022. Hameed is widely known to have been a close ally of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, who has served multiple sentences on graft and other charges since his arrest in 2023. Khan was removed from office by a vote of no confidence in April 2022. Meanwhile, before Hameed’s arrest, neither the government nor the military disclosed the exact accusations against him. The report noted that the detention of such a prominent retired officer was notable in Pakistan, where the military wields considerable power and arrests of senior or former military officials are uncommon. Key takeaways Pakistan’s former spy chief Faiz Hameed was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a military court on Thursday. Hameed has the right to appeal the decision to the appropriate authority. He is widely known to have been a close ally of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.