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.
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