RAWALPINDI: Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid, former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been formally charged with several offences, including involvement in political activities and violating the Official Secrets Act, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed on Tuesday. According to the statement issued by ISPR, these actions have compromised the security and interests of the state.
In addition to these charges, Hamid is accused of misusing his authority and government resources, which led to wrongful losses for individuals. The charges form part of an ongoing legal process under the Pakistan Army Act, which began on August 12 with the initiation of a field general court-martial (FGCM) against the retired general.
The ISPR statement also highlighted that Hamid’s involvement in stirring unrest, particularly during the May 9 riots, is under investigation. The May 9 disturbances were violent protests that erupted after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case. Supporters of Khan were involved in attacking public and military properties, leading to military trials of the rioters under the Army Act. The investigation into Faiz Hamid’s role in these riots suggests his alleged collusion with political factions that sought to incite chaos.
The military has assured that Faiz Hamid is being provided with all legal rights during the proceedings. Speaking to Geo News, Brigadier (retd) Rashid Wali emphasized the serious nature of the charges against Hamid and outlined that once the military trial is concluded, he would have the option to appeal the verdict.
Earlier this year, Faiz Hamid was arrested by the military after an inquiry into complaints related to land grabbing and the unlawful seizure of property. His arrest was linked to a Supreme Court petition filed by a housing society’s CEO, which accused Hamid of raiding the society and stealing valuables. The inquiry also revealed violations of the Army Act post-retirement, leading to further action.
