Inside Pakistan’s court martials: apart from Faiz Hameed who all have seen the gavel?

WEB DESK: The recent sentencing of former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief, Lieutenant General (retired) Faiz Hameed, marks a significant chapter in Pakistan’s history of military accountability. While he is the first ex-spymaster be handed a 14 year sentence, a formal court-martial under the Pakistan Army Act for engaging in political activity, the army has a long history of taking action against its senior officers for misconduct, corruption, and breaches of national security.

Faiz Hameed: First Ex-Spymaster Indicted

Earlier today, Former DG ISI Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed was sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment after a Field General Court Martial found him guilty on four charges, including involvement in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, misuse of authority and causing harm to civilians. This marks the first time a former ISI chief has received such a punishment. The court martial, conducted under the Pakistan Army Act, began in August 2024 and concluded after 15 months. The ISPR said Hameed was given full legal rights and may appeal. Separate investigations into his alleged political interference remain ongoing.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that separate investigations are ongoing regarding his alleged role in instigating unrest, including incidents linked to May 9, 2023, in collusion with vested political interests.

The proceedings against Hameed have drawn unprecedented attention due to his status as a former intelligence chief, highlighting the army’s effort to enforce accountability at the highest levels.

The legal case against Hameed partly stems from a petition filed by Kanwar Moeez Khan, CEO of Top City Housing Society. He alleged that ISI personnel and Pakistan Rangers raided his office and residence, confiscating cash, gold, and valuable items in connection with a terrorism investigation. The petition claimed that after a Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court acquitted him, Hameed attempted to influence the return of confiscated property through intermediaries.

The Supreme Court acknowledged the “extremely serious” nature of the allegations in November 2023, stating that ignoring them could harm institutional credibility. This eventually led to Hameed’s custody and formal indictment by December 2024.

The NLC Financial Scandal: Lt Gen (retired) Khalid Munir Khan, Lt Gen (retired) M. Afzal Muzaffar

High-ranking officers have faced accountability in cases involving financial mismanagement as well. In 2009, the National Logistics Cell (NLC) suffered losses of Rs1.8 billion due to improper loans and risky investment of pensioners’ funds. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found former quartermasters Lt Gen (retd) Khalid Munir Khan and Lt Gen (retd) M. Afzal Muzaffar responsible, alongside former NLC Director General Maj Gen Khalid Zaheer Akhtar and two civilian officers.

Following a thorough investigation ordered by then-Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, disciplinary action was taken under the Pakistan Army Act. Zaheer was dismissed from service, while Muzaffar received a formal record of severe displeasure.

Espionage and Leakage of Secrets: Lt Gen (retired) Javed Iqbal

Accountability has also extended to cases involving national security breaches. Lt Gen (retd) Javed Iqbal was convicted by a Field General Court Martial in May 2019 for espionage, leaking sensitive information to foreign agencies. Initially sentenced to 14 years, his punishment was later reduced, with the sentence ultimately completed under the supervision of the current Army Chief, Gen Asim Munir.

Attempted Coups and Mutiny: Maj Gen Zaheerul Islam Abbasi and others

Pakistan’s military has also prosecuted officers involved in mutiny and coup attempts. In 1995, Maj Gen Zaheerul Islam Abbasi and 38 other officers were arrested for plotting to assassinate key national leaders, including the prime minister and army chief, with the aim of establishing an Islamic state under Abbasi’s leadership. The Field General Court Martial handed down sentences ranging from four to 14 years.

Similarly, in 2011, Brig (retd) Ali Khan and four other officers were convicted for links to the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir and plans to instigate a mutiny. Khan served five years in prison before being released.

Administrative Removals Without Court-Martial

Not all disciplinary actions involved formal court-martial proceedings. Some generals were removed from service administratively following internal investigations. For instance, Gen (retd) Ziauddin Butt, appointed army chief in 1999 by then-PM Nawaz Sharif, was placed in custody and relieved of his post without a trial. In 2016, during a major corruption crackdown under Gen Raheel Sharif, six officers—including two serving generals—were dismissed.

Instances of Delayed or Incomplete Accountability

There have also been cases where accountability was delayed or incomplete. In the 1990s, former ISI DG Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani admitted in an affidavit to the Supreme Court that he had been involved in distributing funds to political parties. Despite a 2012 ruling directing the defense ministry to take action, investigations continued for years, and the matter remained unresolved for a long time, highlighting challenges in enforcing timely accountability.

While the indictment of Faiz Hameed is unprecedented in its high-profile nature, it fits within a broader history of military accountability in Pakistan. From financial scandals and espionage to mutiny and political interference, the army has periodically acted against its own officers to maintain discipline and institutional integrity. However, inconsistencies and delays in some cases underscore the complex interplay between law, politics, and military oversight in Pakistan’s history.