By Junaid Qaiser
The 14-year prison sentence given to former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed isn’t just a legal decision—it marks a significant turning point within Pakistan’s most influential institution. For the first time ever, a former leader of the country’s top intelligence agency has faced a court-martial, been convicted, and is now behind bars after a 15-month trial that delved into the very allegations Pakistan has quietly discussed for years: political manipulation, breaches of state secrets, abuse of power, and the personal appropriation of state authority.
This is accountability making its way not just to the edges, but right into the heart of the barracks.
The story of Faiz Hameed’s rise and fall is one that resonates with many in Pakistan. As the DG ISI during Imran Khan’s administration, he was more than just a spymaster; he was perceived as a political broker, a crisis manager, and, in the eyes of some, the mastermind behind a whole political framework. His early retirement after Khan’s ousting only intensified the belief that the intelligence services were deeply involved in the political arena.
The charges now validated by the ISPR formalize what had been widely speculated in both public and private circles: interference in politics, breaches of state confidentiality, and the exploitation of state machinery for personal or political purposes. However, this time, those discussions didn’t just fade into the background—they culminated in a court martial and a sentence that initiates the process of establishing boundaries that should have been drawn long ago.
The implications extend far beyond Rawalpindi. Senator Faisal Vawda’s claim that Hameed is ready to testify against Imran Khan—and present evidence—suggests that the former intelligence chief’s fall may accelerate the legal pressure building around the PTI founder. If even part of what Vawda alleges materialises, the political scenario could shift dramatically.
That anxiety is already palpable. Political leaders are calling the verdict “historic” and “unprecedented,” not just for its legal weight but for the message it sends: the old assumptions about untouchability no longer hold.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s pointed remarks—“we will reap the harvest of the seeds sown by Faiz Hameed and General Bajwa for years”—reflect a sobering admission: Pakistan is still living with the consequences of the political engineering and internal divisions of the recent past. His public prayer for humility in those who wield state power struck a nerve because it speaks directly to why this verdict matters. The PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has termed the judgment “historic,”. The KP governor Faisal karim Kundi’s comments, that “Faiz Hameed’s cup of tea has become very expensive,” reflect both public frustration and provincial grievances. His emphasis that “nothing is superior to the state” reinforces an emerging consensus: the era of personalized fiefdoms within institutions must end.
For years, accountability within the security establishment has often seemed either selective or just for show. This case shakes up that perception. With a lengthy trial, numerous substantiated charges, full legal rights for the accused, and the chance to appeal, we see an institution trying to mend its own past mistakes—no matter how late that effort may be.
However, this doesn’t mean that Pakistan’s civil-military imbalance has been fixed. The systems that allowed figures like Faiz Hameed to operate beyond their limits didn’t vanish overnight. This verdict won’t wipe away years of political maneuvering either.
Yet, it does signify a change. It sets a precedent that the military is prepared—whether due to pressure from circumstances, politics, or principles—to address internal overreach at the highest levels.
That alone alters the playing field.
The sentence for Faiz Hameed serves as a reminder that even the most powerful institutions can’t protect their own from facing consequences forever. It hints at a growing self-correcting tendency within the security establishment and pushes the political class to move away from relying on back-channel dealings.
If Pakistan truly aims for stability, this moment shouldn’t be seen as just a one-off event. It needs to kickstart a broader commitment to rules, transparency, and moving away from personalized power.
Accountability has finally made its way to the barracks. The real question now is whether other institutions across the state will choose to follow suit.
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