Lt. Gen. Faiz Hamid (ret.) has been formally arraigned under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act for engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secret Act, misusing his authority and government recourse, and causing wrongful loss to a person.
In a statement, the military’s media wing noted the process of field general court-martial against Hamid began on Aug. 12. It described his alleged violations of the Official Secret Act as “detrimental to safety and interest of the state.”
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that a separate investigation was also underway over Hamid’s involvement in “events related to creating agitation and unrest, leading up to multiple incidents including but not limited to May 9, 2023 incident for fomenting instability; at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests.”
The military’s media wing said the former ISI chief was being afforded with all legal rights as per law.
The May 9, 2023 incident refers to nationwide violent protests triggered by the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a corruption case. During the rioting, which lasted almost three days, demonstrators attacked and damaged various public buildings and military installations. The government and the Army have blamed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which has denied the charges. Hamid has long been linked to the PTI, though the party has maintained it has no links to the former spymaster beyond those required while it was in government.
Faiz Hamid was taken into military custody after the owner of a private housing society alleged misconduct before the Supreme Court. In response, the apex court in November 2023 had directed the military to take notice, stressing the case was of “extremely serious nature” and could not be ignored as it risked undermining the reputation of the country’s institutions.
The matter had then proceeded under the military’s internal accountability mechanism until August 2024. Hamid was then taken into custody and formal proceedings initiated for a field general court-martial.