May 9 violence: The Pakistan Army has sacked several top officers, including a lieutenant-general, for failing to protect military installations during violent protests that broke out on May 9 following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. On 9 May, supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party vandalized over 20 military installations and government buildings, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, the Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. Army Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time.
army sacked a lieutenant general rank military officer
Addressing a press conference, military spokesman Major General Arshad Sharif said the army had punished an army officer of a lieutenant general rank and several others for failing to protect military installations on May 9, Geo News reported. High ranking officers were dismissed from service. The Major General further said that disciplinary action has been taken against 15 officers including three Major Generals and seven Brigadiers.
Sharif said the army had twice investigated the protests by PTI supporters and taken action. He said that the investigation was done by officers of the rank of Major General. “After a deliberate accountability process, taking into account the requests of the Court of Inquiry, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against those who failed to uphold the security and dignity of the garrison, military establishments, Jinnah House and the General Headquarters. Officer-General including one Lieutenant-General has been removed and strict disciplinary proceedings have been completed against other officers including three Major Generals and seven Brigadiers,” he said.
Those involved in violence will be punished
Addressing a press conference, Major General Sharif said, “All those involved (in the May 9 violence) will be punished under the Constitution and the law.” He described the protests as “deeply disappointing, reprehensible and a dark chapter in the history of our country”.
“The events of May 9 have proved that what the enemy could not do in 76 years, a group of miscreants and their helpers did,” the officer said. He described the incident as “a conspiracy against Pakistan”. The May 9 violence led to a strong response from the government and the military, with the government vowing to act against the guilty, which continues to crack down on those involved.
(with PTI inputs)