Pakistan Army General Faiz Hameed Faces Indictment in Court Martial Proceedings

Former Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed, a retired Lieutenant General, has been formally arraigned on charges of engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, misusing his authority, and causing wrongful loss to individuals. The charges were announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media affairs wing, on Tuesday, marking a significant step in the long-running court martial process initiated under the Pakistan Army Act.

The case against General Hameed began with an investigation into allegations of misconduct, including his alleged involvement in the creation of unrest and agitation, including the May 9, 2023, incident, which led to instability in the country. The investigation also encompasses claims of misuse of authority and government resources. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has urged the government not to politicize the court martial of the former DG ISI, emphasizing that the matter falls under the Army Act and is within the military's jurisdiction to decide the punishment.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan further emphasized that the PTI has no involvement in the case and called for it to remain an internal army matter. He expressed concerns over the government's handling of protests, citing the tragic deaths of eight people during the implementation of Sharia law in the past and the February 8 rally, which was addressed by Imran Khan. The chairman dismissed accusations that the party was using the "Pashtun card" for political gains. Khan called on the parliament to facilitate a path for negotiations, saying "we seek accountability for the injustices we have faced in this house through dialogue."

The charges against General Hameed include engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, causing loss to the state's security and interests, and misusing government resources. The military also accused General Hameed of causing wrongful harm to individuals. General Hameed has been the subject of various controversies, including his role in the 2017 Faizabad protest and his alleged involvement in the removal of former Islamabad High Court judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui. He has also been the chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and has served as the corps commander in Peshawar and Bahawalpur.

General Hameed plans to contest the charges through a lawyer, signaling a further escalation of the already contentious legal battle. The outcome of the trial will likely be closely watched by observers and could have significant implications for the Pakistani military establishment and the country's broader politics.