Faiz Hameed Court Martial | IA Hashmi

The commencement of the second phase of the court martial proceedings against former DG ISI Lt. Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed and the formal charge sheeting of him is being viewed by observers as the stage in the case where reaching it means that there is enough evidence against the accused after which the proceedings proceed as per the law. According to the Pakistan Army Public Relations (ISPR), the charges leveled include involvement in political activities, harming the security and interest of the state by violating the Official Secrets Act, misuse of authority and government resources, and causing undue harm to individuals. Field General Court Martial proceedings were initiated against former DG ISI Lt. Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed on August 12, 2024 under the relevant provisions of the Pakistan Army Act. Lt. Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed is the first DG ISI in Pakistan’s history to be charge sheeted under serious charges. Field General Court Martial is part of the internal accountability system of the army and an effective means of preventing violations of relevant laws. 

The post of ISI chief is a high position in the army and bringing a person who is able to hold it to justice is undoubtedly a bold move. The current court martial proceedings may also be aimed at setting examples in this regard that the Pakistan Army does not tolerate any lawlessness in its ranks and is committed to the tradition of indiscriminate accountability. According to the ISPR, a separate investigation is also being conducted regarding the involvement of Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed in violent incidents related to chaos and unrest in the country during the field general court martial process. The aforementioned incidents also include incidents related to May 9. The intention and collusion of nefarious political elements in these numerous violent incidents are also being investigated. According to informed sources, former DG ISI Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed was in contact with about 50 politicians, most of whom were associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Faiz Hameed’s direct or indirect links with the party’s founding chairman Imran Khan (who is now in jail) are also being investigated. 

According to sources, under the Army Act, General Faiz was required not to engage in any political activity for five years from the date of retirement. Earlier, this ban was for two years, but in 2023, an amendment to the Army Act made it a condition that those who were posted, employed, assisted, or assigned to the army to discharge sensitive responsibilities would not participate in any political activities for five years from the date of retirement. Keeping these legal restrictions in mind, this investigation is important to find out through which person or persons Faiz Hameed had contacts with before or after the arrest of Imran Khan and the events of May 9. According to the ISPR, the former ISI chief, who has been taken into military custody since August 12, is being provided with all legal rights. This is in accordance with the principles of court martial and it should be done in accordance with the requirements of justice and law. The rightness of any decision is decided by the history books and it should be expected that whatever decision comes out will be remembered as a good example in the future.