Islamabad, Pakistan – In a significant development, Pakistan’s military has formally charged former spy chief Lieutenant-General Faiz Hamid with “engaging in political activities,” accusing him of collaborating with former Prime Minister Imran Khan to destabilise the nation. Hamid, who has been under arrest since August 2024, is the first former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to face such serious accusations.
The chargesheet against the retired general follows months of investigations under the Pakistan Army Act. The military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), revealed that Hamid was involved in creating unrest and agitation, particularly in relation to the events of May 9, 2023, which saw violent protests triggered by Khan’s arrest. Supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party targeted state buildings and military installations, resulting in thousands of arrests and military trials for many.
“During the process, the involvement of Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (Retd) in events related to creating agitation and unrest, leading up to multiple incidents, including but not limited to the events of May 9, 2023, aimed at fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests—is also being separately investigated,” an ISPR statement said on Tuesday.
The ISPR also outlined additional charges against Hamid, including violations of the Official Secrets Act, misuse of authority, and improper use of government resources. These charges follow what the military described as multiple violations of the Army Act after Hamid’s retirement in December 2022.
The case against Hamid began after a petition from the land development company Top City, which accused him and his brother of acquiring properties illegally and blackmailing the company’s owner. Although Hamid has not commented on the accusations, the case has drawn significant attention, particularly due to the involvement of the military in both legal and political matters.
Following Hamid’s arrest, three other retired army officers were detained for actions “prejudicial to military discipline,” leading many to speculate that their arrests were related to Hamid’s case. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had previously stated that Hamid continued to meddle in political affairs even after his retirement.
“General Faiz was definitely involved in the political events that unfolded after his retirement,” Asif said when Hamid’s court martial proceedings were first made public in August.
Who is Faiz Hamid?
Lieutenant-General Faiz Hamid was once considered a close ally of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He served as the head of the ISI from June 2019, appointed by Khan, and remained in the position until his early retirement in December 2022, just after General Asim Munir took command of the army. Hamid’s tenure at the ISI was marked by allegations of political targeting of Khan’s rivals, human rights violations, and suppressing protests.
One of the most notable events in Hamid’s career came in August 2021, when he was photographed in Kabul shortly after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. His interactions with the group have added to his controversial reputation. Hamid also played a role in negotiating with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) during their 2017 protests.
Military’s political role and allegations of meddling
The Pakistani military has long been considered the most influential institution in the country, having ruled for more than 30 years during its history. Despite its persistent interference in political affairs, no former spy chief has ever faced a court martial.
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Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, under whom Hamid served, has also faced accusations of supporting Khan and assisting in his rise to power. In his farewell address in November 2022, Bajwa acknowledged the military’s unconstitutional role in politics, calling for reforms. However, critics argue that military interference persists, and some believe that Hamid could not have engaged in political activities without explicit instructions from Bajwa.
A retired general, speaking anonymously to Al Jazeera, dismissed many of the allegations against Hamid as unfounded, and questioned the fairness of the investigation. He also expressed concern about the public nature of the court martial, which is traditionally kept confidential. “These matters are usually kept out of the public eye. This unusual dissemination of information raises questions about the motives behind the entire exercise,” the retired general said.
Political commentator Muneeb Farooq also noted that the court martial proceedings against Hamid are unprecedented in Pakistan’s history. However, Farooq argued that the charges show the seriousness of the accusations against Hamid, especially regarding his alleged attempts to sabotage the appointment of the current army chief, General Asim Munir, two years ago.
As the case progresses, the spotlight remains on the military’s involvement in Pakistan’s political landscape and the extent of its influence on the country’s political future.
