ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army has court-martialed two of its former officers for “inciting sedition” among army personnel and acting against the interests of the state, the Pakistani military said on Saturday.
The Field General Court Martial convicted Major (retired) Adil Farooq Raja and Captain (retired) Haider Raza Mehdi on 7th and 9th October, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing said.
Raja was awarded 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, while Mehdi was handed down a 12-year prison term.
“Major (Retired) Adil Farooq Raja and Captain (Retired) Haider Raza Mehdi, both retired officers of Pakistan Army, were convicted and sentenced through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act, 1952 for the charges of inciting sedition among army personnel from discharge of duties and violation of the provisions of Official Secrets Act, 1923 related to espionage and acts prejudicial to the safety and interest of the State,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“Pursuant to the awarded sentence, the Ranks of both officers have been forfeited.”
The two officers, who are staunch supporters of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, were regularly seen criticizing on social media the army and its former and current leadership for their policies.
Khan, who was ousted in a no-trust vote in April 2022 and is currently in jail, faces scores of legal cases on myriad charges, including revealing state secrets, treason against the state, incitement to violence and terrorism. The former premier maintains the charges are trumped-up.
His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has also been the subject of a crackdown since its supporters attacked military and government installations in reaction to Khan’s brief arrest in May. Khan’s ouster is also believed to be an outcome of his fallout with the then military leadership.
Many of his supporters have since been rounded up in raids across the country and are being tried by various courts in Pakistan.
Pakistan Army court-martials two former officers for ‘inciting sedition,’ hands prison terms
https://arab.news/rd84p
Pakistan Army court-martials two former officers for ‘inciting sedition,’ hands prison terms
- Major (retired) Adil Farooq Raja, Captain (retired) Haider Raza Mehdi were convicted last month
- The two former officers, who staunchly support ex-PM Khan, were regularly seen criticizing army
Saudi Arabia condemns separatist attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan
- Kingdom says it stands with Pakistan as security forces kill 92 militants in counteroffensive
- Attacks hit multiple districts including Quetta and Gwadar, killing civilians and security personnel
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Saturday condemned separatist attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, expressing solidarity with Islamabad after a wave of coordinated violence killed civilians and security personnel across multiple districts.
In a statement cited by the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Kingdom said it rejected violence in all its forms and stood with Pakistan as its security forces responded to the attacks.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the attacks carried out by separatist elements in various areas of Pakistan’s Balochistan province,” he said in a social media message. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renews its firm position rejecting all acts of terrorism and extremism.”
Pakistan’s military said on Saturday its forces killed 92 militants, including three suicide bombers, while repelling coordinated attacks across the southwestern province, following assaults that targeted civilians and law enforcement personnel in several towns, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung and Kharan.
The military said 18 civilians, including women and children, were killed in attacks on laborer families in Gwadar and Kharan, while 15 security personnel died during clearance operations and armed standoffs.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, reaffirming its support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard stability and security.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a decades-long separatist insurgency marked by attacks on security forces, infrastructure projects and civilians, as Pakistan steps up counter-militancy operations in the region.
