Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said on Monday that the army on May 9 had suspended an army officer of the rank of lieutenant general and several other senior officers for failing to protect military installations.
This announcement was made by DG ISPR Major Chaudhry while holding a press conference in Rawalpindi.
DG ISPR further said that disciplinary action has been taken against 15 officers including three Major Generals and seven Brigadiers.
He said that three officers, including a lieutenant general, have been dismissed.
He further said that the granddaughter of the retired four-star general and the son-in-law of the retired four-star general have also been arrested in connection with the investigation into the May 9 riots.
Additionally, the wife and son-in-law of a retired three-star general and the wife and son-in-law of a retired two-star general are undergoing an accountability process.
Army ranks lament desecration of martyrs’ monumentsÂ
Major General Chaudhry said that the families of the martyrs and all ranks of the army are raising questions about the desecration of the memorials of the martyrs in many parts of the country during the May 9 incidents and riots.
He added that “the events of May 9 have proved that what the enemy of Pakistan could not do, these miscreants have done”.
The DG ISPR further said that the events of May 9 are highly condemnable, a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan and a big conspiracy against the country.
Speaking about the protests that followed the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, Major General Chaudhry said that evidence related to the May 9 incidents had been collected and investigations into the violence were underway.
He said that Pakistan Army is eradicating terrorists from the country on a daily basis.
“The families of the martyrs are saddened and are asking serious questions as to when those involved [in the May 9 incident] will be brought to justice,” he added.
“All ranks of the army are asking why should they sacrifice their lives if the memorials of the martyrs are being desecrated like this?”
DG ISPR expressed grief over the May 9 tragedy, saying the violent incidents were planned months in advance.
“People were manipulated by this inflammatory narrative,” he added.
Major General Chaudhry also said that the operation against terrorism is going on smoothly.
He said that poisonous propaganda is being done against the Pakistan Army, false propaganda is being done for political purposes and lust for power, he added that the nation cannot be separated from the army and complete coordination in the decisions of the army. And there is transparency. to create
“About 95 officers and jawans [soldiers] lost their lives. However, the successful war against terrorism will continue till all terrorists are eliminated,” said the chief military spokesman.
He further said that Pakistan Army will continue to make sacrifices for national defense and welfare of the people.
He further said that no matter what, the forces will not hesitate to make any sacrifice for the country.
He asserted that the events of May 9 will not be forgotten and those involved will not be forgiven. He assured that all those involved will be punished according to the constitution and law.
He further said that the process of self-accountability in the army is done without discrimination.
Military Courts
Talking about the military trial, DG ISPR said that the case is under hearing in the Supreme Court.
“Military courts did not come into existence after May 9, they were already there and functioning. Civil courts have transferred these cases to military courts based on evidence and law,” he said.
Major General Chaudhry also said that the accused have full legal rights and right to appeal.
“They also have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court. The Army Act has been part of the law and constitution for decades,” he added.
‘Terrorists hide behind the narrative of rights violations’
DG ISPP said “nothing can be more shameful than blaming the May 9 tragedy on the army and agencies”.
He told the media that within a few hours of the arrests, military installations were attacked at 200 locations across the country.
Did the army conspire against us or did the army already deploy its agents or did we burn the memorials of our martyrs? he questioned. He also asked who was running unknown accounts and propagating arson at that time.
“A [fake] narrative of human rights violations against Pakistan is created and terrorist organizations mostly hide behind this narrative,” he added.
DG ISPR said that social media was used against the army and fake videos and audios were circulated for propaganda.
“They force them [NGOs] to say that the Pakistani army is committing atrocities in Pakistan and foreign organizations are asked to stop economic support to Pakistan,” he lamented. Do it.”
‘Propaganda must be countered’
Advising against spreading fake news and sensationalism, DG ISPR said responsible journalism is essential for the country to counter propaganda.
Emphasizing to stop social media propaganda, Major General Chaudhry said that positive discussion and criticism should be promoted.
He said that behind the events of May 9, the army was to provoke an immediate reaction.
The ISPR chief added that the planners wanted the army to react strongly and create chaos in the country.
However, he said the army had shown restraint on May 9 to foil the plot and gave a firm response.
He said that the military officers who showed negligence in the May 9 riots were punished according to law.
“The defense budget is at the lowest level”
He further emphasized that it is important to control internal chaos as it can pave the way for external attack.
Talking about the country’s economic situation, Major General Chaudhry said that the defense budget is at the lowest level in the country’s history, which is around 12.5 percent this year, adding that it was 16 percent of GDP last year.
He further said that if the economy develops, the defense budget will increase.
