Govt welcomes ex-spymaster's fall

Terms development end to a turbulent chapter

ISLAMABAD:

Leaders from the ruling alliance on Thursday cast the conviction of former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed as a watershed moment, framing the 14-year rigorous imprisonment handed down by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) as both a reckoning with the past and an emergence of accountability order within state institutions.

The ruling camp reacted swiftly to the ex-spymaster's fall, with senior leaders saying that the consequences of decisions taken in the era of a general long viewed as the architect of their political woes were now finally surfacing.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in a post on X, said the country would continue to bear the fallout of the actions undertaken by the former ISI chief and ex-army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

"The country will keep reaping the harvest of seeds sown by Faiz Hameed and General [retd] Bajwa for years," he wrote.

"May God forgive us. May those in power recognise that authority is a divine trust and use it for the welfare of His creation. May the fear of God guide the rulers. Ameen."

Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar also weighed in, calling the verdict a "historic" and "landmark" ruling that he said would reinforce the rule of law.

He told a private broadcaster that red lines had long been crossed and that political interference had taken place, asserting that the ex-ISI chief had acted as "a political adviser to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)" and provided the party with "full political support".

Tarar emphasised that the trial had been fair, saying Hameed was given every opportunity to defend himself, including presenting evidence and witnesses in his favour. He added that inquiries into Hameed's alleged political role were still underway and would continue.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the former spy chief had also been penalised in the Top City case, in which Hameed was accused of misusing his position to extort money from a private housing society.

In a statement, Tarar said that the conviction of the ex-ISI chief was based on "evidence".

"Today, the person who crossed the red line has been punished," he added. The minister said Hameed was given "full opportunity" to defend himself during the trial and produce witnesses.

"After the statements of all witnesses were recorded and evidence was presented, a just verdict has been issued."

Tarar further asserted that no one was above the law and legal action would be taken against anyone "who crosses the red line".

He said Hameed had "misused his authority, and there will be further investigations into political matters".

The minister also alleged that Hameed had been the PTI's "political adviser".

Tarar further stated: "The process of self-accountability within the army is very strong, and everyone has now seen a clear example of it. […] Today's decision is a victory of truth and justice."