Sentencing of Pakistan’s former ISI chief ‘just the begining’ Report

The sentencing of Pakistan’s former spy chief Faiz Hameed may just be “the beginning”, as it can herald a spate of new cases against politicians and activists for involvement in anti-army riots over two years ago, a report said.
Pakistan’s former spy chief Faiz Hameed was on Thursday sentenced to 14 years in jail by a military court, which found him guilty on multiple charges, including violating the Official Secrets Act and engaging in political activities.
A statement issued by the army on his sentencing focused on his conviction under military laws. However, it was the final paragraph that drew the most attention, according to a Dawn report.
“Involvement of the convict in fomenting vested political agitation and instability in cahoots with political elements and in certain other matters is separately being dealt with,” the statement said, offering no details.
The language implied linking Faiz Hameed and unnamed politicians to a wider effort to engineer unrest, the report said.
The reference marked the latest in a series of military statements since last year, signalling suspicion and hinting at an alleged nexus between him and political elements, opposed to the government, it added.
In a statement issued on August 15, 2024, the ISPR noted that “further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continuing.”
A separate statement released at the time of Hameed’s detention alleged that “multiple instances of violation of Pakistan Army Act post retirement have also been established,” though it did not elaborate.
Days later, the ISPR disclosed that Hameed was being investigated for alleged involvement in the May 9, 2023, riots, during which military buildings and monuments were vandalised.
“During the process, involvement of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (retd) in events related to creating agitation and unrest, leading to multiple incidents, including, but not limited to May 9, 2023, for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests, is also being separately investigated,” the statement had then said.
Senator Faisal Vawda hailed Thursday’s decision, stating that “it was only the beginning” as charges pertaining to May 9 riots still remained to be seen.