“No one is above the law”, journalists and politicians celebrate the conviction of Faiz Hameed`

Senior political leaders and journalists on Thursday hailed the military court’s verdict against former DG ISI Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed as a “historic” development, calling it a clear affirmation that illegal activities would no longer go unchecked and describing the ruling as a victory for truth and justice.

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

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

Read: Former ISI chief Faiz Hameed sentenced to 14 years in prison by military court

Tarar said Hameed had abused his authority and was found guilty on all charges, including the Top City affair, adding that investigations into political matters would continue. Reiterating his stance, the minister said the verdict underlined the strength of military responsibility and again called the result “a triumph of truth.”

The verdict on the terms of the PPP is “historic”

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also welcomed the decision, calling it a landmark ruling confirming Hameed’s involvement in illegal activities.

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

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, in a post on He prayed for wisdom and moderation in the use of power, saying that those who rule must be guided by the fear of God.

Prominent journalist Kamran Khan wrote in

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 field prepared by him has already been dismantled. How the powerful fall,” he commented.

Journalist Hamid Mir said Hameed had dictated to the media during his time in uniform and had tried to get him out of journalism. He added that he was banned from appearing on television and in newspapers for nine months. “He is now sentenced to 14 years. Twenty-seven witnesses appeared in his case. There are more to come,” he said.

Journalist Mubashir Zaidi called the former ISI chief’s life sentence for his involvement in politics “a good start”, saying there should be no room for army interference in political affairs.

Senator Faisal Vawda has stated that the sentence handed down against the former ISI Director General is part of a long and continuous 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 previous claim had been proven correct – that the former intelligence chief would receive 14 years of rigorous imprisonment instead of a death sentence. He added that the May 9 cases remain unresolved and concern incidents that he claims 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 Hameed was an employee of a state institution and any punishment meted out 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 these remarks after being detained by Rawalpindi police at Dhamial check post while on his way to Adiala jail.

Military court sentences Faiz Hameed to 14 years

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed has been sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment. He was tried on four charges: participation in political activities, violations of the Official Secrets Law detrimental to State security, abuse of government authority and resources, and illegal harm to individuals.

ISPR said Hameed was found guilty of all charges after a lengthy legal process. The sentence, delivered on Thursday, came after a general field military tribunal that began on August 12, 2024 under the Pakistan Army Act and continued for 15 months. The spokesman said the defendant was afforded all legal rights, including the choice of defense counsel, and retains the right to appeal.

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