Two former army officers. with large following on YouTube, were awarded long prison sentences after their court-martial trial under Pakistan Army Act for inciting sedition among soldiers, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing ISPR on Saturday, Major (retd) Adil Farooq Raja was handed 13-year rigorous imprisonment while Captain (retd) Haider Raza Mehdi was given 12-year jail sentence.
Military’s Field General Court Martial (FGCM) convicted the two former officers of army under Pakistan Army Act 1952.
The ISPR statement said Adil Farooq Raja and 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 court of competent jurisdiction convicted and adjudged both the individuals on the date of 7th and 9th October 2023, through due judicial process, with the punishments awarded as: Major (Retired) Adil Farooq Raja; awarded 14 years rigorous imprisonment. Captain (Retired) Haider Raza Mehdi; awarded 12 years rigorous imprisonment,” the ISPR added.
“The court of competent jurisdiction convicted and adjudged both the individuals on the date of Oct 7 and Oct 9, 2023, through due judicial process,” the ISPR statement said.
The statement said pursuant to the awarded sentence, the ranks of both officers had been forfeited on November 21 2023.
Besides ranks forfeiture, their national identity cards and passports were cancelled, bank accounts frozen and names were placed on exit control list (ECL).
Neither Adil Raja nor Haider Mehdi is likely to serve the sentence as they are based outside of Pakistan.
The convictions likely pertain to the May 9 incidents, when PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest resulted in widespread attacks on key military installations.
In June this year, Islamabad’s Ramna Police Station had booked four people, including Adil Raja and Haider Mehdi, for allegedly inciting a mob during the May 9 violent protests.
Reporter Ahmad Mansoor