A military court in Pakistan has sentenced former spy chief Faiz Hamid to 14 years in prison on four charges, including political interference, the army announced on Thursday (Dec 11). The ruling marks a rare conviction of a high-ranking general in the country. Hamid, who has been in custody and on trial since August last year, led Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from 2019 to 2021 under former Prime Minister Imran Khan, with whom he was considered a close ally.

“The accused was tried on four charges,” the military said in a statement. These charges included engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act in ways harmful to national security, misuse of authority and resources, and causing wrongful loss to individuals. The military confirmed that Hamid was found guilty on all counts but did not provide specific details. His conviction followed “lengthy and laborious legal proceedings,” and he retains the right to appeal.

Hamid is also under separate investigation for his alleged involvement in May 2023 attacks by thousands of Khan supporters on military installations, which occurred in protest of Khan’s arrest. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Hamid had crossed “red lines” by advising Khan’s party in an attempt to create instability. Neither Hamid’s family nor lawyers were available for comment, and Khan’s PTI party has not yet responded.

Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023, and nearly 150 of his party leaders and supporters have been indicted by an anti-terrorism court for allegedly inciting the May attacks, which targeted military headquarters in Rawalpindi. Khan and his associates deny the charges.Hamid’s close association with Khan, who accuses the military of ousting him in 2022, has long been a point of tension. The military, which has directly ruled Pakistan for more than three decades of its 77-year history, continues to play a decisive role in the nation’s political landscape.