ISLAMABAD:
Leaders of the ruling alliance on Thursday hailed the conviction of former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed as a watershed moment, marking 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 in state institutions.
The ruling camp reacted swiftly to the former spymaster’s downfall, with senior leaders saying the consequences of decisions made during the era of a general long seen as the architect of their political woes were finally emerging.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said in a statement on X that the country would continue to bear the consequences of the actions carried out by former ISI chief and ex-army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa.
“The country will continue to reap the seeds sown by Faiz Hameed and General [retd] Bajwa for years,” he wrote.
“May God forgive us. May the rulers recognize 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” verdict that he said would strengthen the rule of law.
He told a private television station that red lines had long been crossed and that political interference had taken place, claiming that the former ISI chief had acted as “a political adviser to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)” and given the party “full political support”.
Stressing that the trial had been fair, Tarar said Hameed was given every opportunity to defend himself, including presenting evidence and witnesses in his favour. He added that investigations into Hameed’s alleged political role were still ongoing and would continue.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the former spy chief had also been punished in the Top City case, in which Hameed was accused of abusing his position to extort money from a private housing company.
In a statement, Tarar said the conviction of the former 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 present witnesses.
“After the statements of all witnesses had been recorded and evidence presented, a just verdict was rendered.”
Tarar further asserted that no one was above the law and that legal action would be taken against anyone “who crosses the red line”.
He said Hameed had “abused his authority and there will be further investigations into political issues”.
The minister also claimed that Hameed had been PTI’s “political adviser”.
Tarar further stated, “The process of self-responsibility in the Army is very strong and everyone has now seen a clear example of it. [ ] Today’s decision is a victory for truth and justice.”
