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
73% of foreign firms in Pakistan see it as a viable investment destination — survey
- OICCI survey highlights improved investor optimism since 2023, when it stood at 61%
- Regulatory unpredictability, high costs continue to keep foreign investors cautious
ISLAMABAD: Seventy-three percent of overseas investors operating in Pakistan now recommend the country as a viable destination for direct investment, up from 61% in 2023, according to a survey of more than 200 multinational companies released on Friday, signaling a measurable improvement in investor sentiment following Pakistan’s 2022–23 foreign exchange crisis.
The 2025 Perception and Investment Survey, conducted by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), which represents multinational firms in the country, found that improving macroeconomic indicators and recent policy reforms have begun to restore confidence, though investors remain cautious about regulatory unpredictability and rising business costs.
“The 2025 Perception and Investment Survey ... provides a cautiously optimistic snapshot of investor sentiment in
Pakistan,” the report said, noting that “improvements in macroeconomic indicators and recent policy reform initiatives have begun to rebuild confidence among foreign investors.”
The survey pointed to relative exchange-rate stability after a period of steep rupee depreciation, alongside credit rating upgrades by international agencies.
“73% of OICCI members now recommend Pakistan as a viable FDI destination, compared to 61 percent two years earlier,” it added.
Despite the improved macro picture, the survey warned that structural and regulatory challenges continue to weigh on investment decisions.
“The broader regulatory landscape remains complex and unpredictable,” it said, highlighting delays in tax refunds, inconsistent enforcement and weak coordination between federal and provincial authorities.
Foreign direct investment, while showing some positive movement, “remains concentrated in cautious brackets,” with most investors opting for modest commitments despite a decline in the proportion of firms planning no future investment.
Rising costs were a major concern, with nearly all respondents reporting increases in energy prices, wages and raw material costs. Political instability, sudden regulatory changes and an unclear fiscal roadmap were listed among the top investor apprehensions.
The survey warned that despite the positive outlook among multinationals operating in Pakistan, international perception of the country has improved only marginally, adding that “negative global coverage continues to influence investment decisions significantly,” and underscoring the need for a more proactive international communication strategy.
