Islamabad: Pakistan’s military has officially charged retired Lieutenant-General Faiz Hamid, a former head of the country’s premier spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), with “engaging in political activities.” The allegations suggest he collaborated with ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan to destabilize the country.
The charges, announced after months of investigations under the Pakistan Army Act, were outlined in a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, on Tuesday. Hamid, who retired in December 2022, was arrested in August 2024 over alleged violations of the Army Act.
The ISPR statement accused Hamid of orchestrating unrest, including incidents on May 9, 2023, when protests erupted following Khan’s arrest in a corruption case. Supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party targeted state institutions and military facilities, leading to widespread arrests and military trials. Khan himself faces multiple charges related to these events.
Charges Against Faiz Hamid
According to the ISPR, Hamid has been indicted for breaching the Official Secrets Act, abusing authority, and misusing government resources. These accusations stem from multiple incidents, including alleged efforts to disrupt national stability in collaboration with political factions.
Hamid’s arrest in August was reportedly linked to a Supreme Court directive following a petition by a real estate development company, Top City. The company accused Hamid and his brother of illegal property acquisitions and blackmail. Hamid has not commented on these allegations publicly.
Following his detention, three other retired army officers were also arrested for alleged misconduct. Observers believe their cases are connected to the proceedings against Hamid.
Defence Minister’s Statement
In August, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif publicly accused Hamid of meddling in political affairs even after his retirement. “General Faiz was definitely involved in the political events that unfolded after his retirement,” Asif stated.
Who is Faiz Hamid?
Once considered a close ally of Imran Khan and a potential candidate for army chief, Hamid opted for early retirement after General Asim Munir assumed command of the military. Hamid’s tenure as ISI chief, from June 2019 to 2021, was marked by allegations of political engineering, including targeting Khan’s opponents, suppressing dissent, and media crackdowns.
Hamid also played a controversial role in international and domestic affairs. In 2021, he was photographed in Kabul shortly after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Domestically, he mediated talks between the Pakistani government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and negotiated with the far-right Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) during its 2017 protests against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.
Unprecedented Court Martial
Hamid’s court martial is unprecedented in Pakistan’s history, as no former ISI chief has faced such proceedings. The military, which has directly ruled Pakistan for over three decades and is often accused of political interference, has framed the trial as part of a broader effort to reform.
Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, under whom Hamid served, has also faced criticism for supporting Khan’s rise to power. Bajwa, in his 2022 farewell speech, acknowledged the military’s unconstitutional involvement in politics over seven decades and promised reforms. However, critics argue that such interference persists.
A retired military official, speaking anonymously, questioned the fairness of the proceedings, suggesting that Hamid likely acted under Bajwa’s instructions. “Hamid could not have engaged in political activities without explicit orders from Bajwa,” the official said, dismissing many of the allegations as baseless. He also criticized the unusually public nature of the court martial.
Significance of the Case
Political analysts view the trial as a serious development. Muneeb Farooq, a Lahore-based commentator, noted that the charges reflect the gravity of the allegations against Hamid. “The military likely possesses evidence linking Hamid to efforts aimed at undermining General Munir’s appointment,” Farooq said.
He added that the case underscores the military’s attempt to address internal dissent while sending a strong message about political neutrality. However, skepticism persists over whether such trials signify genuine reform or are part of broader power struggles within the military.
