Three officers of the Pakistan Army, including a lieutenant general, have been dismissed from service, and another fifteen officers, including three major generals and seven brigadiers, have faced disciplinary action in relation to the rioting and vandalism of state property and military installations that occurred on May 9, 2023. This was revealed by director general (DG) of the military's Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in a press conference today (Monday).
None of the Pakistan Army officers dismissed or disciplined under this process have been identified by name as of yet.
The press conference was scheduled to commence at 3pm local time, but was delayed by over an hour. Many noted that the DG ISPR, himself a senior military officer and two-star general, appeared angry and spoke in an 'aggressive' tone.
Maj Gen Chaudhry said that the military's internal accountability mechanism does not discriminate against or favour anyone. "The military's accountability process does not get affected by anyone's rank or social status," he said, before adding, "the bigger the rank, the greater the responsibilities".
Two departmental inquiries were carried out to investigate the May 9 attacks on various army garrisons, the DG ISPR said. "Officers of the rank of major general presided over both inquiries," he added.
According to Maj Gen Chaudhry, the inquiries have "proven" that the May 9 incidents were planned months in advance, and evidence has shown that there are 3-4 "masterminds" and 10-12 "planners" involved in the events that unfolded on that day.
Those on-duty army officials who were unable to maintain the "security and sanctity" of various military installations on May 9 were subjected to disciplinary action, according to the Pakistan military's spokesman.
The DG ISPR reiterated that the military officers were disciplined under the army's own procedures, and held accountable for failing to ensure security of military sites such as the Lahore corps commander's house, known as 'Jinnah House', the Pakistan Army's general headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, and other security installations.
The Pakistan Army's spokesman also confirmed that 102 "miscreants" were under trial in military courts, and that these courts are always functional as per the Army Act and no new military courts were established to try those suspected of criminal activities in relation to the May 9 riots.
More to follow...
None of the Pakistan Army officers dismissed or disciplined under this process have been identified by name as of yet.
The press conference was scheduled to commence at 3pm local time, but was delayed by over an hour. Many noted that the DG ISPR, himself a senior military officer and two-star general, appeared angry and spoke in an 'aggressive' tone.
Maj Gen Chaudhry said that the military's internal accountability mechanism does not discriminate against or favour anyone. "The military's accountability process does not get affected by anyone's rank or social status," he said, before adding, "the bigger the rank, the greater the responsibilities".
Two departmental inquiries were carried out to investigate the May 9 attacks on various army garrisons, the DG ISPR said. "Officers of the rank of major general presided over both inquiries," he added.
According to Maj Gen Chaudhry, the inquiries have "proven" that the May 9 incidents were planned months in advance, and evidence has shown that there are 3-4 "masterminds" and 10-12 "planners" involved in the events that unfolded on that day.
Those on-duty army officials who were unable to maintain the "security and sanctity" of various military installations on May 9 were subjected to disciplinary action, according to the Pakistan military's spokesman.
The DG ISPR reiterated that the military officers were disciplined under the army's own procedures, and held accountable for failing to ensure security of military sites such as the Lahore corps commander's house, known as 'Jinnah House', the Pakistan Army's general headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, and other security installations.
The Pakistan Army's spokesman also confirmed that 102 "miscreants" were under trial in military courts, and that these courts are always functional as per the Army Act and no new military courts were established to try those suspected of criminal activities in relation to the May 9 riots.
More to follow...