Pak Army dismisses 3 high-ranked officers, including Lieutenant General

Pakistan Army has dismissed three officers, including one Lieutenant General from their jobs. Additionally, disciplinary action has been completed against fifteen other officers, including three Major Generals and seven Brigadiers.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry announced it in a press briefing in Rawalpindi, saying that the investigation is underway against a retired four-star General, the son-in-law of a retired four-star General, the wife of a retired three-star General, and the son-in-law and daughter of a retired two-star General. However, the DG ISPR refrained from disclosing the names or postings of officers who have been dismissed from their jobs or are under investigation.

The DG ISPR stated, “No one expected that a political party would attack its own country’s army.” He said that when the incident of May 9 occurred, the army foiled this heinous conspiracy. However, it was necessary to determine any shortcomings or negligence in the military instructions, their security, or their failure to maintain them. If there has been any unintentional mistake or negligence, it should be rectified. Self-accountability is implemented in the army to identify lapses, their causes, and to understand the negligence, losses and reasons behind them.

DG ISPR said that the matter of ‘military courts’ is under hearing in the court. “The military courts’ case is being heard in the Supreme Court, so I will rely on facts instead of giving my opinion because it is necessary to know and understand those facts”, he said while answering a question regarding military courts.

He mentioned that currently, 17 military courts are operating throughout the country, which were already active and present before the May 9 incident. These courts have transferred 102 cases of terrorists to the civilian courts in accordance with the evidence and the law. All the accused have been granted all legal rights.

“This Army Act is part of Pakistan’s constitution and law for many decades, and hundreds of cases have been fulfilled under it to meet all the requirements of the law. The International Court of Justice has verified it after its scrutiny” he added.

Regarding concerns about human rights violations raised by international organizations and members of the US Congress, the spokesperson of the Pakistan Army stated that hidden connections or statements are conveyed through people outside or through NGOs.

When asked about the masterminds behind the May 9 incident, the DG ISPR said, “It will be premature to say who the masterminds are, but they are the same people who have been conditioning the minds of their own people against their own army for quite some time. They have influenced our homes, our children and our sisters that it is acceptable to act against our own army, throw petrol bombs at it, and throw stones at its vehicles. Those are the masterminds. They are exposed in front of you like daylight.”

“Those who have carried out these incidents must be punished, and they will be. It is more important that if our nation wants to move forward after the May 9 incident, we need to expose them and bring them to justice. The incident of May 9 will remain awaiting justice until the masterminds and facilitators are brought to justice”, he emphasized.

He further stated that an environment is created where it is claimed that the state and the army in Pakistan are committing human rights violations. “Cases are created by going to anti-Pakistan organizations abroad and by visiting organizations to claim that human rights violations are taking place here and there is coercion. That is why Pakistan faces difficulties. However, we will overcome these difficulties,” he concluded.