ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s former spy chief and ex-army general Faiz Hamid has been formally indicted on charges of political involvement and breaching the Official Secrets Act, the military announced on Tuesday. The move marks a rare public action against a senior figure within the country’s powerful armed forces, which have long held significant influence over Pakistan’s political landscape.
The military’s statement also revealed that Hamid is under investigation for his alleged role in orchestrating attacks on military installations during the violent protests of May 9, 2023. Thousands of supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan stormed military sites and offices across the country after Khan’s arrest, leading to widespread unrest.
Last week, Khan, 72, along with several of his party leaders and supporters, was indicted by an anti-terrorism court for allegedly inciting these attacks, including an assault on the military’s headquarters in Rawalpindi. Both Khan and his associates have denied the charges.
Hamid, who previously served as head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from 2019 to 2021, was considered a close ally of Khan, who appointed him to the role. The military began court martial proceedings against Hamid in August, and he has remained in custody since.
According to defense analyst Ayesha Siddiqa, the charges against Hamid signal a broader threat to Khan, with the military implying both were complicit in the May 9 violence. “This could open the door for Khan to also face trial in a military court,” she said.
In addition to the May 9 allegations, Hamid is accused of abusing authority and government resources and of fomenting unrest in collaboration with political interests, the military noted.
Hamid’s tenure as ISI chief coincided with rising tensions between Khan and then-Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, ultimately leading to Khan’s ouster from power in 2022 through a parliamentary vote. Khan has repeatedly alleged that the military played a role in his removal, a claim the institution denies.
The developments underscore the military’s enduring dominance in Pakistan’s governance, having ruled the country directly for over 30 of its 77 years of independence.