In a remarkable turn of events, the former chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Faiz Hameed, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by a military court. The charges against him include serious offenses such as violation of state secrets and meddling in political affairs. Hameed, who held the ISI chief position from 2019 to 2021 during the leadership of the now-jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, took early retirement shortly after Khan was removed via a no-confidence vote in 2022.
This case is unprecedented as it's the first time an ISI chief in Pakistan has faced a court martial. Hameed was tried on multiple charges over a period of 15 months, starting from August 12, 2024, according to information from the military's public relations wing (ISPR). The charges included engaging in political activities, breaching the Official Secrets Act, and misusing his powers.
Following the court's ruling, Hameed's lawyer announced plans to appeal, asserting his client's innocence. The military proceedings were held behind closed doors, leaving many details of the case undisclosed. However, the implications of this case resonate deeply within Pakistan's military landscape, given the ISI's significant power.
The courts haven't made the specifics public, and it's understood that Hameed's role in the political disturbances linked to protests following Imran Khan's arrest is under separate investigation. Looking forward, Hameed's legal team aims to seek justice through the appropriate legal channels, underscoring the high stakes involved in this case.
This case is unprecedented as it's the first time an ISI chief in Pakistan has faced a court martial. Hameed was tried on multiple charges over a period of 15 months, starting from August 12, 2024, according to information from the military's public relations wing (ISPR). The charges included engaging in political activities, breaching the Official Secrets Act, and misusing his powers.
Following the court's ruling, Hameed's lawyer announced plans to appeal, asserting his client's innocence. The military proceedings were held behind closed doors, leaving many details of the case undisclosed. However, the implications of this case resonate deeply within Pakistan's military landscape, given the ISI's significant power.
The courts haven't made the specifics public, and it's understood that Hameed's role in the political disturbances linked to protests following Imran Khan's arrest is under separate investigation. Looking forward, Hameed's legal team aims to seek justice through the appropriate legal channels, underscoring the high stakes involved in this case.
