Court martials in Pakistan have played a crucial role in maintaining discipline and accountability within the armed forces.
The recent case involving Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, former chief of the ISI, shows the strict examination of senior military officials.
Here is a look at key court martial cases in Pakistan army’s history:
Major (retd) Adil Farooq Raja
On October 7, 2023, Major (retd) Adil Farooq Raja was sentenced to 14 years of hard labor imprisonment by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) for inciting mutiny among military personnel.
Captain (retd) Haider Raza Mehdi
On October 9, 2023, Captain (retd) Haider Raza Mehdi was sentenced to 12 years of hard labor imprisonment by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM). He was convicted of inciting mutiny and other offenses under the PPC 1860, PECA 2016, and ATA 1997.
Lt Col (retd) Akbar Hussain
Lieutenant Colonel Akbar Hussain was found guilty and sentenced by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) for inciting sedition among military personnel under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.
He faced charges of sedition and terrorism for his purported involvement in violence and property damage during protests triggered by the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in 2023.
Naik Muhammad Hussain Janjua
In 2018, Naik Muhammad Hussain Janjua was court-martialed and sentenced to death for espionage and leaking sensitive information.
Brigadier Ali Khan
In 2012, Brigadier Ali Khan was court-martialed and sentenced to five years in prison for alleged ties with Hizb ut-Tahrir and conspiring against the government and army.
Lt Col (retd) Shahid Bashir
In 2011, Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Shahid Bashir faced a court martial for his alleged links to Hizb ut-Tahrir and accusations of espionage, including leaking information about the Shamsi Air Base.
He was convicted and received a three-year prison sentence along with dismissal from service.
Major General Zaheerul Islam Abbasi
In 1995, Major General Zaheerul Islam Abbasi was court-martialed and sentenced to seven years in prison for plotting a coup against former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s government. The conspiracy involved plans to storm military headquarters and assassinate prominent figures.
Brigadier Mustansir Billah
Brigadier Mustansir Billah was court-martialed and given a 14-year prison sentence for his involvement in the 1995 coup attempt against Benazir Bhutto’s government, where he was reportedly the mastermind behind the failed plot.
Major General Tajammul Hussain Malik
In 1980, Major General Tajammul Hussain Malik, who was the General Officer Commanding of the 23rd Division during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, was court-martialed for his role in a failed coup attempt against General Ziaul Haq’s regime.
10. Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed
Just yesterday, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that ex-DG ISI Faiz Hameed has been taken into military custody and the process for his court martial has been initiated in connection with the Top City housing scheme scandal.
While the final outcome of the court martial proceedings against Faiz Hameed will be determined later, the seriousness of the allegations suggests that a prison sentence remains a possibility.
