Munir Tightens Grip as Jailed Former ISI Chief Expected to Testify Against Imran Khan

In a major escalation of Pakistan’s ongoing political and military power struggle, Army Chief General Asim Munir appears to be further consolidating his authority by pressuring former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (Retd.) Faiz Hamid to testify against jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The move, if confirmed, would significantly strengthen Munir’s strategy to push treason charges against the PTI founder — charges that could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty under Pakistani law.

The development surfaced after a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) sentenced ex-ISI chief Faiz Hamid to 14 years in prison on Thursday on four counts, including political interference. Hamid is also under investigation for his alleged role in the May 2023 attacks on military installations, carried out by thousands of PTI supporters after Imran Khan was detained from a court premises.

According to a report broadcast by Geo News, Senator Faisal Vawda — once a prominent leader within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf — claimed that Hamid is prepared to offer testimony against Imran Khan. Vawda asserted that Khan is “firmly caught in the legal squeeze,” suggesting that Hamid’s statement may critically damage Khan’s already fragile legal position.

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On the same program, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made explosive allegations, claiming that Imran Khan and Faiz Hamid jointly orchestrated the violent May 9, 2023, protests and attacks on military facilities. These targeted sites included the Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore — two of the most secure locations in the country.

Asif maintained that the unrest was intended to “overturn the appointment” of Asim Munir as Chief of Army Staff. He argued that Imran Khan could not have executed the coordinated attacks without Faiz Hamid’s guidance. Despite his retirement, Asif added, Hamid continued to maintain “significant influence” within the military and political machinery.

Notably, Asim Munir’s own tenure as ISI chief was one of the shortest in Pakistan’s history. Appointed by then–Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Munir was removed by Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2019 after allegedly initiating an inquiry into corruption linked to Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi. Munir served only eight months as ISI director before being replaced by Faiz Hamid — the same officer who is now positioned to testify against Imran.

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Imran Khan’s tenure as prime minister ended abruptly in April 2022 after he lost a no-confidence motion — a move his supporters claim was influenced by elements within the military leadership. Months later, in November 2022, Bajwa appointed Asim Munir as the new Army Chief, setting the stage for the intense confrontation that has unfolded since.

If Faiz Hamid’s testimony establishes that Imran Khan plotted against the Pakistan Army or its leadership, both men could face treason charges. Under Pakistan’s constitution and military law, such an offense carries penalties ranging from life imprisonment to capital punishment.

The political landscape remains highly volatile as the powerful military establishment, senior political leadership, and former intelligence figures navigate an unprecedented internal conflict with national implications. With Hamid’s expected testimony looming, the pressure on Imran Khan — already embroiled in multiple legal cases — is set to intensify further.

The coming weeks may determine whether this crisis escalates into one of the most consequential political trials in Pakistan’s recent history.