Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed has challenged the 14-year sentence handed down to him by a military court and has sought a copy of the judgment, his lawyer confirmed on Monday.
Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq told that the appeal was filed with the army chief two days ago, while a separate application has been submitted to the Court of Appeal’s registrar at GHQ seeking a copy of the written decision.
“The appeal has already been filed,” Ashfaq said, without disclosing the specific grounds raised in the challenge.
According to the military, Hameed was found guilty on December 11 by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) on four counts – engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act “in a manner detrimental to the safety and interest of the state”, misuse of authority and government resources, and causing wrongful loss to individuals.
He remains confined at Special Prison Rawalpindi and has not been shifted to Adiala Jail, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Under Section 133-B of the Pakistan Army Act, an accused has 40 days from conviction to file an appeal. Hameed’s challenge will be heard by a Court of Appeals headed by a major general or a senior officer nominated by the army chief, who may uphold, modify or set aside the sentence.
Hameed’s prosecution stems from a 2017 complaint filed by property developer Kanwar Moeez Khan. Khan claimed that Hameed, then serving as a major general in ISI, along with two other officers, raided his residence and business premises, confiscated valuables, and forced him to pay Rs40 million while also funding a private television channel.
The matter resurfaced in 2023 after the Supreme Court directed Khan to approach the defence ministry, which subsequently initiated a military inquiry. A Court of Inquiry constituted in April 2024 found sufficient grounds to proceed, leading to Hameed’s arrest on August 12 that year.
According to the military’s media wing, FGCM proceedings commenced on August 12, 2024, and continued for around 15 months before the verdict was announced.
After what the Inter-Services Public Relations described as “lengthy and laborious legal proceedings”, the court found him guilty on all counts. The sentence was put into effect on December 11, 2025.
The ISPR further said that Hameed’s “involvement in fomenting vested political agitation and instability in cohorts with political elements and in certain other matters” is being dealt with separately.
Hameed, who retired from military in November 2022, became the first former ISI director general and only the second three-star general in Pakistan’s history to be tried by a military court and sentenced to imprisonment.
The probe eventually encompassed several other retired military personnel, including retired Brig Ghaffar, retired Brig Naeem Fakhar and retired Col Asim. However, the court’s decision did not clarify their legal status or any findings against them.