‘No one is above the law’: Journalists, politicians welcome Faiz Hameed conviction

Information minister says verdict shows the military’s self-accountability system remains extremely strong

Political leaders and senior journalists on Thursday hailed the military court’s verdict against former DG ISI (retd) Lt Gen Faiz Hameed as a “historic” development, calling it a clear affirmation that unlawful activities would no longer go unchecked and describing the judgment as a victory of truth and justice.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the ruling demonstrated that the military’s system of self-accountability remained “extremely strong,” noting that Hameed had acted as a political adviser to the PTI and crossed red lines that warranted legal action.

“No one is above the law,” he said, adding that the decision was based on evidence recorded during the proceedings and that Hameed was given full opportunity to defend himself.

Read: Ex-ISI chief Faiz Hameed sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by military court

Tarar said Hameed had misused his authority and was found guilty on all charges, including in the Top City matter, adding that further investigations into political matters would continue. Reiterating his stance, the minister said the verdict underscored the robustness of military accountability, again terming the outcome “a triumph of truth.”

PPP terms verdict ‘historic’

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also welcomed the decision, describing it as a historic judgment that confirmed Hameed’s involvement in unlawful activities.

Speaking to reporters in Chiniot, he noted that while the verdict was significant, several additional cases against Hameed were still underway. He said the former general would, however, have avenues available for appeal.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in a post on X, said the country continued to “reap the harvest of the seeds sown for years by Faiz Hameed and General Bajwa.” He prayed for wisdom and restraint in the use of power, saying those who govern must be guided by the fear of God.

قوم برسوں فیض حمید صاحب اور جنرل باجوہ کے بوۓ ھوئے بیجوں کی فصل کاٹے گی۔

اللہ ھمیں معاف کرے، طاقت اوراقتدار کو
اللہ کی عطا سمجھ کے اس کی مخلوق کے لئے استعمال کی توفیق عطا فرماۓ۔ خوف خدا حکمرانوں کا شیوہ بنے۔۔ آمین
ISPR
Rawalpindi, 11 December, 2025:

On August 12, 2024,…

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 11, 2025

Prominent journalist Kamran Khan wrote on X that for the first time, a DG ISI had been punished for “betraying his oath,” adding that the “system” associated with Hameed had operated unchecked with the full knowledge of the then army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

جنرل فیض حمید کو سزا تو پاک فوج کے نظام نے آج سنائی مگر اس وقت بھی تو پاک فوج کا نظام تھا اس وقت بھی کوئی آرمی چیف تھا جب جنرل فیض کا نظام دندناتا پھر رہا تھا ہم کیا ایک عام پاکستانی بھی جانتا ہے کہ افواج پاکستان میں آرمی چیف کی مرضی اور معلومات کے بغیر چڑیا بھی پر نہیں مار سکتی… pic.twitter.com/zLv6diBqTd

— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) December 11, 2025

Political commentator Nadeem Farooq Paracha said Hameed had used his position to cultivate a network of politicians, journalists and judges, claiming that the expectation of a “revolution” on May 9, 2023, was shaped by this network. “The fielding set by him has now been dismantled. How the mighty fall,” he remarked.

Used his position to cultivate a network of politicians, journalists and judges. The expectation of a “revolution” on May 9, 2023, shaped by this network, strengthened the fantasy of IK’s ‘inevitable’ return. The fielding set by him has now been dismantled. How the mighty fall. pic.twitter.com/RD1227pNHj

— Nadeem Farooq Paracha (@NadeemfParacha) December 11, 2025

Senior journalist Hamid Mir said Hameed had dictated media during his time in uniform and tried to have him removed from journalism. He added that he was banned from television and newspapers for nine months. “He is now convicted for 14 years. Twenty-seven witnesses appeared in his case. There is more to come,” he said.

Man proposes God disposes. Gen Faiz tried to minus me from journalism. I was banned not only on TV screen but also in newspapers for 9 months. He is now convicted for 14 years. 27 witnesses appeared in his case. There is more to come and come and come. https://t.co/DltzwL5KHw

— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) December 11, 2025

Journalist Mubashir Zaidi termed the life sentencing of the former ISI chief for involvement in politics “a good beginning,” saying there should be no room for the military’s interference in political affairs.

Life sentencing of former ISI chief Gen Faiz Hameed for involvement in politics is a good beginning. There shouldn't be any room for military's involvement in politics #Pakistan #FaizHameed

— Mubashir Zaidi (@xadeejourno) December 11, 2025

Senator Faisal Vawda has said that the sentence handed down to the former DG ISI is part of a long and continuing process of justice that “will not stop,” adding that the May 9 cases are still pending and that the political party involved “can already see its fate written on the wall.”

Vawda said his earlier assertion had been proven correct — that the former intelligence chief would receive 14 years of rigorous imprisonment rather than a death sentence. He added that the May 9 cases remain unresolved and pertain to incidents that, according to him, caused damage to the state, politics, the judiciary and democracy, including alleged attempts to control the media.

He said the verdict reinforces the principle that “no one is bigger than Pakistan” and marks the establishment of a clear precedent for accountability.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said that Hameed was an employee of a state institution and that any punishment awarded to him is an internal matter of that institution.

Commenting further, he reiterated that Hameed’s case was strictly an internal institutional matter and should be treated as such. He made the remarks after being stopped by Rawalpindi police at the Dhamial checkpoint while en route to Adiala Jail.

Military court sentences Faiz Hameed to 14 years

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed has been sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment. He was tried on four charges: involvement in political activities, violations of the Official Secrets Act detrimental to state security, misuse of authority and government resources, and causing unlawful harm to individuals.

ISPR said Hameed was found guilty on all counts after a lengthy legal process. The sentence, issued on Thursday, followed a Field General Court Martial that began on August 12, 2024 under the Pakistan Army Act and continued for 15 months. The spokesperson said the accused was provided full legal rights, including the choice of defence counsel, and retains the right to appeal.

ISPR added that matters related to political agitation and instability, as well as other issues involving Hameed, were being addressed separately.