Pakistan trying 102 in military courts for violence following ex-PM Imran Khan's arrest: Army spokesman

During a press conference, on Monday (June 26), Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major-General Ahmed Sharif said that the Pakistan military had dismissed one officer with the rank of a Lieutenant general and several others for not protecting the military installations during the May 9 riots.

Speaking about the violence that broke out following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, he also said it was “undoubtedly” a conspiracy against the country which had been planned months in advance. Furthermore, he also said that more than 100 people are being tried in military courts over the violence that broke out.

‘Facts’ about the May 9 riot

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At the beginning of the press conference, Sharif said the purpose of this address was to provide “facts” regarding the events of May 9, adding, “The incident of May 9 is extremely disappointing, condemnable and a black chapter in the history of our country.”

He added, “The events of May 9 have proven that what enemies couldn’t do in 76 years, a bunch of miscreants and their facilitators did." It was “undoubtedly a conspiracy against Pakistan”.

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Sharif further said that the ongoing probe into the riots has found evidence that the protests were “being planned for the past several months.” The chief military spokesperson added, “Under this planning, first a conducive environment was created and people were instigated and provoked against the army.”

Notably, the country’s army remains Pakistan’s most powerful institution, having reportedly ruled it directly for nearly half of its 75-year history through three coups. However, on May 9 protesters also attacked the army installations across the country, in a somewhat unprecedented move.

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“Then, in this connection, a narrative based on lies and exaggeration was spread on social media inside and outside the country,” said Sharif, adding that the Pakistan army has found evidence against them.

Nearly 100 soldiers lost their lives

The military spokesperson said that as many as 95 officers and jawans (soldiers) lost their lives due to the violence. He added, “However, the successful war against terrorism will continue until all terrorists are eliminated.”

Pakistan army’s ‘self-accountability process’

During the press conference, the chief military spokesperson also said that the army has completed its process of “self-accountability…without any discrimination” and went on todetail the outcomes of the two comprehensive inquiries, led by the Pakistan army’s major generals over the violent events that took place at army garrisons on May 9.

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The spokesperson said that military trials are being heard in the Supreme Court. “The military courts did not come into existence after May 9, they were already present and functioning. The civil courts have transferred these cases to the military courts after checking evidence and as per the law.”

He said that the hearings under the Army Act were going on in military courts where the “trial of 102 miscreants is underway and this process will continue”.

He also said that disciplinary proceedings were initiated against “those who failed to keep the security and honour of garrisons, military installations, Jinnah House and General Headquarters intact.”

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In line with this, three officers, including a lieutenant-general, have been dismissed and “strict disciplinary proceedings” against three major generals and seven brigadiers have been completed so far.

While he described the ranks of those facing the process of accountability, Sharif did not name them. “As of now, a granddaughter of a retired four-star general, son-in-law of a retired four-star star general, wife of a retired three-star general, and wife and son-in-law of a retired two-star general are facing this process of accountability due to irrefutable evidence.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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