Pakistan Army dismissed three offices including a Lt General from the service while action has been taken against three Major Generals and seven Brigadiers over May 9 riots, revealed Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Ahmad Sharif in a media briefing.
Maj Gen Sharif revealed that the army had completed its process of “self-accountability”, saying that two comprehensive inquiries — led by major generals — were conducted into violent events that took place at army garrisons on May 9.
“After a deliberate accountability process, keeping the requests of in-court of inquiries in view, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against those who failed to keep the security and honour of garrisons, military installations, Jinnah House and General Headquarters intact.
“Three officers, including a lieutenant-general, have been removed from their jobs. Strict disciplinary proceedings against 15 officers, including three major generals and seven brigadiers, have been completed,” he added.
The DG ISPR said that these penalties showed that accountability in the Pakistan Army was carried out with discrimination.
He said the granddaughter and son-in-law of a four-star general were also undergoing the process of accountability.
He announced the Pak Army believes that the responsible and facilitators of the May 9 tragedy will not be pardoned and the people who will create hurdles in the process will also not be tolerated and will be punished under the Constitution of Pakistan.
Maj Gen Sharif said the families of martyrs and all ranks of the army are raising questions over the May 9 incidents and the desecration of martyrs’ monuments in many parts of the country during the riots.
"The May 9 incidents have proved that what the enemy of Pakistan couldn't do was done by these miscreants," he added.
The DG ISPR further said that the May 9 incidents are “highly condemnable, a black chapter in Pakistan's history and a big conspiracy against the country”.
Speaking about the protests that broke out following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan's arrest, DG ISPR Maj Gen Chaudhry said that evidence related to the May 9 incidents has been collected as an investigation into the violence is underway.
He said that the Pakistan Army is eliminating the terrorists from the country on a daily basis. "The families of the martyrs are hurt and they are asking tough questions as to when will the people involved [in the May 9 incidents] be brought to justice," he added.
“All the ranks within the army are asking why they should sacrifice their lives if the memorials of the martyrs are being desecrated like this.”
Expressing regret over the May 9 mayhem, the DG ISPR said the planning of the violent incidents was done several months ago. "The people were manipulated by this outrageous narrative," he added.
Maj Gen Chaudhry also said that the operation against terrorism is going smoothly.
"A poisonous propaganda is being spread against Pakistan forces. False propaganda has been carried out for political purposes and lust for power," he said, adding that the nation cannot be separated from the army and there is complete coordination and transparency in the army's decision-making.
"As many as 95 officers and jawans [soldiers] lost their lives. However, the successful war against terrorism will continue until all terrorists are eliminated,” said the chief military spokesperson.
He added that the Pakistan Army will continue to make sacrifices for the defence of the country and the welfare of the people.
He stressed that the May 9 events will not be forgotten and those involved will not be forgiven. "All the people involved will be punished under the Constitution and law," he assured.
He announced the Pak Army believes that the responsible and facilitators of the May 9 tragedy will not be pardoned and the people who will create hurdles in the process will also not tolerate it and they will be punished under the Constitution of Pakistan.
Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said they will not spear anyone and for this reason, a process of investigation from the daughter, a wife, and a son-in-law of some three-star and two-star generals is also continuing right now.
The ISPR Director General also condemned the May 9 attacks on military installations as it was a big conspiracy against the state and said Major General ranked officers held two inquiries on the incident.
About the security laps at the corps commander’s house, GHQ, and other military locations, he clarified that there was a plan of the enemy to get an immediate response from the army to do politics on such damage but it was foiled. He said it was unexpected that a political party made an attack on its own army.
The masterminds of the May 9 tragedy were directly those who brainwashed people to attack the institutions with petrol bombs.
For halting these incidents in future, it is necessary to take action against the responsible persons in any case, the ISPR director general said adding that the families of martyrs are questioning to Army Chief about their sacrifices for the country and the army.
During the press conference, the ISPR director general also played some video messages of martyrs’ family members who condemned the May 9 tragedy.
He said the stability of a state is based on confidence among the general public, government and army.
Pakistan has main danger from inside anarchy and May 9 was its peak. He added that if the way of inside anarchy will not be stopped, it will open a door to outside anarchy.
To a query about holding negotiations with the political segment for political stability in the country, he said they respect all political parties and only want that they sit at a table and solve the issues.
Answering a question about controlled journalism in Pakistan, he said the Pak army believes in responsible journalism with positive criticism.