Islamabad: In a high-stakes legal development that has captured national attention, the former Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant General (Retired) Faiz Hameed, has formally moved to challenge his conviction. The retired general has filed a comprehensive appeal against the 14-year rigorous imprisonment sentence recently handed down by a military tribunal.
The Formal Appeal and Judicial Path
According to a report by BBC Urdu, quoting the former general’s lead counsel, Mian Ali Ashfaq, the appeal has been officially submitted to the Office of the Adjutant General. The defense team maintains that the conviction, which arose from a Field General Court Martial (FGCM), warrants a review based on legal merit.
Under the Pakistan Army Act, the Adjutant General serves as the initial forum for such appeals. However, Mian Ali Ashfaq clarified that the final executive authority to decide on this specific plea rests with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The legal framework provides a strict 40-day window following the announcement of a verdict for a convict to exercise their right to appeal.
Future Legal Remedies: High Court and Supreme Court
Should the military’s internal appeal process prove unsuccessful, the defense has indicated its intent to seek relief through civilian judicial forums. According to the legal team, if the current appeal is rejected, two primary constitutional avenues remain open:
The High Court: Seeking a judicial review of the process.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan: The final court of appeal in the country.
This progression marks a rare instance where a high-ranking military officer’s court-martial verdict could potentially undergo scrutiny by the country’s superior civilian judiciary.
Context of the 14-Year Sentence
The sentencing of Faiz Hameed is widely regarded by legal historians and political analysts as a watershed moment in Pakistan’s civil-military landscape. The proceedings against him were initiated on August 12, 2024, following a 15-month investigative and judicial process.
The Top City Allegations
The primary catalyst for the court martial was the “Top City” case—a complex dispute involving allegations of authority misuse and interference in a private housing project. While the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has maintained confidentiality regarding the granular details, the trial was conducted under the stringent provisions of the Pakistan Army Act.
Broader Political Implications
Beyond the housing society case, observers have frequently linked the scrutiny of General Faiz’s tenure to broader incidents. These include the management of the 2018 General Elections and the subsequent political volatility that led to the events of May 9, 2023. Although these specific links have not been formally detailed in the sentencing press release, they remain a central part of the national discourse.
Source & Transparency: This report is independently synthesized by RepublicPK based on verified updates from BBC Urdu and official statements from the defense counsel.