Ex-ISI chief Faiz Hamid handed 14-year imprisonment over political activities, violating Secrets Act: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: The Field General Court Martial (FGCM) has sentenced former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hamid to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, said the Inter-Services Public Relations in a statement on Thursday.

The military’s media wing said in a statement that the process of a field general court martial was initiated against Faiz Hamid, formerly lieutenant general, under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act, spanning over 15 months.

"The accused was tried on four charges related to engaging in political activities, violation of the Official Secret Act, detrimental to the safety and interest of the state, misuse of authority and government resources and causing wrongful loss to persons.

"After lengthy and laborious legal proceedings, the accused has been found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 14 years rigorous imprisonment by the court, which has been promulgated on December 11, 2025," the ISPR statement read.

The statement further read that the "Field General Court Martial complied with all legal provisions [and] the accused was afforded with all legal rights, including rights of defence team of his choice.”

"The convict has the right of appeal at the relevant forum,” it added.

"Involvement of the convict in fomenting vested political agitation and instability in cohorts with political elements and in certain other matters is separately being dealt with," the ISPR press release stated.

Hamid's arrest

The former spy chief was taken into custody by the military on charges of abuse of power and violating the Army Act last year in August 2024.

The arrest was made in connection with a petition filed by Top City housing society's chief executive officer in the Supreme Court last year, wherein Hamid was accused of land grabbing and stealing valuables from the owner of a private housing society during a raid.

Hamid had been formally charged with multiple offences, including engaging in political activities and violating the Official Secrets Act under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act in December 2024, according to the ISPR.

“Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (retd) has been formally arraigned on charges of engaging in political activities, violations of Official Secret Act detrimental to safety and interest of the state, misuse of authority and government resources and causing wrongful loss to a person(s),” the ISPR said in a statement.

The Pakistan Army, following Supreme Court orders, had conducted a detailed inquiry to investigate complaints against Hamid in the Top City case, according to the army's media wing. It added that the court-martial process was started against the former spy chief based on these complaints.

The statement said that multiple instances of violation of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement had also been established against the former general, who also served as Peshawar Corps Commander

“Three more retired officers were also taken into military custody after Hamid’s arrest in connection with the same housing scheme case,” the statement added.