By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army fired three senior officers and disciplined 15 others for failing to prevent violent attacks on military assets by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan last month.
The army also said it had gathered “irrefutable evidence” of those involved in the May 9 riots, which it called “a condemnable and black chapter in Pakistan’s history.”
Khan’s arrest in a land fraud case sparked widespread protests by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which ransacked military facilities, including an air base, a top commander’s house, and the army headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Khan has since been released on bail, but the military and government have vowed to punish those who attacked army installations.
At least 102 people, including relatives of retired generals, are on trial in 17 military courts over the violence.
The army said it will punish all those involved in the violent attacks, including the masterminds and planners.
The rare public announcement of an internal inquiry and its outcome showed that accountability in the army was carried out without discrimination, irrespective of rank or social status, army spokesman Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said at a press conference on Monday.
“Three officers, including a lieutenant general, have been fired,” Chaudhry told reporters.
Chaudhry said disciplinary action has been taken against 15 officers, including “three major generals and seven brigadiers”.
“No rank or social position has been taken into consideration while doing this process of self-accountability,” Chaudhry added. “The higher the designation, the more responsibility needs to be taken.”
He said penalties showed accountability in the Pakistan Army.
“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.”
Chaudhry said the attacks were part of a “grave conspiracy” against the country that had been planned for months.
“We don’t have any other option but to expose the planners and bring them to justice,”
He did not name Khan or his party, but said it was “beyond expectation” that a political party would assault the army in its own country. “The army defeated the conspiracy as the reaction they wanted was not given.”
Chaudhry said the families of martyred soldiers were hurt and asked if their loved ones had sacrificed their lives for the nation so that their memorials could be disrespected in such a manner.
The army spokesman denied allegations of human rights violations and said fake content was being spread on social media to malign Pakistan.
He said the suspects being tried in military courts had complete legal rights, including the right to appeal in higher courts.
Khan has accused the military and its intelligence agency of trying to destroy his party and plotting an assassination attempt against him.
The army says it is not behind a crackdown on political activities or activists but will only punish those who instigated and attacked army properties.
Since being ousted from power last April, Khan has waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the army, which has ruled the country for nearly half of its 75-year history and continues to wield massive influence.
When Khan came into office in 2018, most understood it was with the backing of the generals. Likewise, when Khan left power it was because he had fallen out of favor with the top brass.
The army spokesman said the Constitution was sacred for the army and a reflection of the nation’s wishes.
He also alleged that some elements from inside and outside the country were trying to spin false narratives against Pakistan.
“Such voices usually come from outside the country … they are usually terrorist organizations that hide behind the garb of human rights violations when action is taken against them,” Chaudhry said.
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