Army axes high-ranking officers over May 9 chaos

ISLAMABAD:

In an unprecedented move, Pakistan Army dismissed its three senior officers, including a lieutenant general, for their failure to prevent rioters on May 9 from ransacking military installations, the chief military spokesperson announced on Monday.

Besides sacking three officers, disciplinary action had also been taken against 15 other men in uniform, including three major generals and seven brigadiers.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told a news conference that the army had completed its investigation in the context of the events that took place on May 9, after which 18 officers, including a lieutenant general and three major generals, had been charged.

The army spokesperson said that two comprehensive institutional inquiries were conducted into the incidents of violence at various garrisons on May 9.

The inquiries were presided over by officers of the rank of major general, he added.

“Disciplinary action has been taken against the officials concerned who failed to maintain security and sanctity of the garrisons and Jinnah House,” the DG ISPR said.

According to the DG ISPR, disciplinary action had been taken against those officials who failed to maintain the security and sanctity of the cantonments, military installations, GHQ and Jinnah House.

According to the spokesperson, two inquiries were conducted within the army in this regard, after which it was decided in a detailed court of inquiry that three officers, including a lieutenant general, should be dismissed from their jobs.

Strict disciplinary action had also been taken against 15 officers, including three major generals and seven brigadiers.

According to the spokesperson, Pakistan Army and the military leadership were aware of the events of May 9 and there was a process of self-accountability within the army which was carried out without any discrimination and “the higher the position, the greater the responsibility”.

According to Major General Chaudhry, “In the accountability process of the army, there is no distinction between any position or social status.”

He also said that “102 miscreants are being tried in military courts and this process is going on” and the civil courts have transferred the cases to these courts under the law.

According to the spokesperson, "All the planners and facilitators connected with the events of May 9 will be punished according to the Constitution of Pakistan and the law, regardless of their affiliation with any organisation, political party or social status.”

The army spokesperson said that those who obstruct the process of justice to its logical conclusion will be dealt with sternly with the full support of the people of Pakistan.

The military’s spokesperson said that investigations revealed that the May 9 riots were being planned for several months.

“It is clear from the evidence regarding the May 9 tragedy that there were three-four masterminds and 10-12 planners behind it,” he said, hinting at further action against the people responsible for the May 9 incident.

He said that currently, the granddaughter of a retired four-star general, the son-in-law of a retired four-star general, the wife of a retired three-star general and the wife and son-in-law of a retired two-star general were undergoing the same accountability process based on irrefutable evidence.

He added that 102 civilian miscreants were being tried in military courts and this process will continue. So far, 17 already established military courts are functioning in connection with the cases under the army act, he told reporters.

Addressing the media in a visibly aggressive tone, the ISPR DG said that Pakistan Army, relatives of martyrs and veterans were deeply saddened by the tragic May 9 tragedy.

“Relatives of martyrs are questioning whether their loved ones gave their lives for this nation so that their symbols are desecrated,” he said.

“Will the evil elements sacrifice the sacrifices of martyrs and ghazis to achieve their political goals … when will the planners of the May 9 tragedy be brought to justice,” he asked.

“The heirs of the martyrs are questioning the army chief whether he will be able to protect the sanctity of the martyrs in the future,” the military’s spokesperson said.

“The heirs of the martyrs and all the ranks are raising the question that if the sanctity of the sacrifices and martyrs is to be desecrated, then what is the need to sacrifice one's life?” he continued.

He said that Pakistan Army represents all units, schools of thought and classes and not a particular elite.

“The basis of the stability of any country and nation is the relationship of trust and respect between the people, the government and the army,” the ISPR DG added.

He said that the riots of May 9 will not be forgotten in the history of Pakistan, nor can the involved miscreants, planners, and facilitators be forgiven.

“Those who obstructed all the plans and facilitators related to this tragedy will also be dealt with sternly,” he vowed.

He said the masterminds of the May 9 incidents are the same people who have been masterminded against the people's army for some time now for their nefarious political purposes and to gain power.

Internal chaos will pave the way for external aggression if we do not stop it, he warned.

Major General Chaudhry said that all stakeholders will have to build a national consensus for political stability.

He said all political parties and forces were respected without discrimination.

“Pakistan Army is not the army of a particular political organisation or school of thought, but the army of the entire nation,” he said.

“Our officers and jawans do not sacrifice their lives for a particular political group, but they guard and give their lives for the safety of children, elders, and every individual of the entire nation,” he added.

He said that Pakistan Army always played a positive role in the stability of the national economy and politics.

He added that last year's defence budget was about 16 per cent of the national budget, and this time around, it has been reduced to about 12.5 per cent.

“The current defence budget is the lowest one in history,” the ISPR DG said.

He said that Pakistan Army managed the reduction in defence budget through its belt-tightening.

Regarding the security situation, Major General Chaudhry said the security forces conducted 13,619 intelligence based operations against terrorists and their facilitators this year.

During this time, 1,172 terrorists were detained or arrested, he said, adding that this year, 95 officers and men were martyred.

More than 77 operations are ongoing on a daily basis to deal with the scourge of terrorism, he said.

He said India's tactic of violating the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) and targeting two innocent Kashmiris was clear proof of India's specific unilateral and aggressive behaviour against neighbouring countries.

“This Indian attitude reflects the hegemonic thinking and policy of BJP and [Narendra] Modi towards Kashmiris since 2014,” he added.

He urged the international community to take immediate notice of the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir and India's barbaric aggression along the LoC.

“Pakistan's forces are always ready to give a befitting reply to any Indian aggression,” he maintained.