Inter-Services Public Relations
(ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Ahmed Sharif said on Monday that as
part of the army's "self-accountability process" in connection with
the May 9 incidents, a Lt. Gen. Three armed force officers have been rejected
from their occupations. He made the revelations at a press conference on the
"facts" of May 9 - when protests erupted across the country following
the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
DGISI said at the beginning of
the media briefing that the incident of May 9 is very disappointing,
condemnable and a dark chapter in the history of our country. What the enemy
could not do in 76 years was done by some miscreants and their facilitators,
this incident was undoubtedly called a conspiracy against Pakistan. He said
that "the investigation so far has proved that the events of May 9 were
being planned for the past several months." Under this plan a favorable
environment was first created and people were incited and incited against the
army.
Major General Sharif said that
false and exaggerated narratives in this regard were spread on social media
inside and outside the country. There is grief and anger. He highlighted that
the Pakistan Army is burying the martyrs every day while the operation against
the terrorists is going on. While on the one hand the Pakistan Army is making
these sacrifices, unfortunately, a dirty propaganda was made based on a false
narrative for nefarious political purposes.
Major General Sharif said that
the families of the martyrs are saddened and they ask all of us today if their
loved ones have made these sacrifices for the nation so that their memorials
are insulted in this way. The heirs of the martyrs. We especially ask the army
chief whether he will be able to protect the honor of the martyred soldiers
from these miscreants.
DG ISPR emphasized that stability
in any country is based on joint relationship between army and citizens. He
said that despite efforts, the enemy failed to destroy the relationship of
"trust and respect between the army and the people". Numerous
penances have been made and will proceed to be made.
DG ISPR added, "It is the
belief of the people that whatever the circumstances, the army will not spare
any sacrifice, and the fact that the armed forces represent all schools of
thought, no particular not the elite."
'The Process of Self-Accountability'
During the press conference,
Major General Sharif revealed that the army had completed its process of
"self-accountability", saying that two comprehensive inquiries into
the May 9 violent incidents in army cantonments - headed by Major Generals
"After a thoughtful and detailed accountability process, taking into
account requests for inquiries in court, disciplinary action was taken against
those who failed to maintain the security and dignity of garrisons, military
installations, Jinnah House and General Headquarters. Started.
Three officers, including a
lieutenant general, have been removed from their jobs in a 'self-accountability
process'. Strict disciplinary action against officers including three major
generals and seven brigadiers has been completed.
During the press conference,
Major General Sharif revealed that the army had completed its process of
"self-accountability", saying that two comprehensive inquiries into
the May 9 violent incidents in army cantonments - headed by Major Generals
"After a thoughtful and detailed accountability process, taking into
account requests for inquiries in court, disciplinary action was taken against
those who failed to maintain the security and dignity of garrisons, military
installations, Jinnah House and General Headquarters. Started.
The DG ISPR said that these
convictions show that accountability in the Pakistan Army was carried out
without discrimination beyond any rank or social status. The son-in-law of a star
common, the spouse of a resigned three-star common, and the spouse and
son-in-law of a resigned two-star common are confronting this handle of
responsibility based on undeniable prove.
Talking about the trials under
the Army Act, Major General Sharif said that 17 permanent military courts are
functioning in which the trial of 102 miscreants is ongoing and this process
will continue. In reaction to a address, DGISP R said that the denounced who
are being attempted in military courts have full lawful rights, counting the
proper to request to the Tall Courts and the Incomparable Court.
He further said that these
suspects will be punished according to their crime, adding that "Pakistan
Army has repeatedly affirmed that the Constitution is sacred to us and reflects
the aspirations of the nation". All the planners and facilitators involved
in the incident will be punished according to the constitution and law of
Pakistan, irrespective of their affiliation to any political party or
institution or social status.
DG ISPR asserted that "those
obstructing the process to its logical conclusion will be dealt with sternly
with the full support of the people of Pakistan."
"Exposing the Mastermind of May 9 Events"
When asked about the identity of
the real culprits of May 9 incidents and their punishment, DG ISPR said that
the planners and masterminds of the incident are those who have been against
the army and the public for the past several months were involved in misleading
"The May 9 incident did not happen in isolation. The motive behind it was
to send people to attack military installations and then prompt a response from
the army," DG Sharif said.
He added that women were also
used as "shields" to "achieve these nefarious political
ambitions". "Nobody expected a political party to attack its own army
like this." But when this happened,
the army foiled the plot. If they answered, their plot would have succeeded.
The DG ISPR added that it is
clear as day that the masterminds of the May 9 riots were those who incited
people to act against the army, hurling petrol bombs at them and setting fire
to their graves. "Exposing the planners and facilitators of these events
and bringing them to justice is paramount if the nation is to move beyond May
9," he asserted, otherwise “Any other political party will repeat these
actions".
He further said that from
politicians to media persons and courts, people of all schools of thought have
to work together and reject this mentality so that such incidents do not recur.
We all should know that the biggest threat to the state of Pakistan is internal
instability and it has two faces: a terrorism against which the armed forces
and intelligence agencies stand like a wall.
The other face is the lack of
tolerance, which culminated on May 9. 'Can't hide behind cries of human rights
violations,' said Major to a question regarding allegations of human rights
violations behind bars. General Sharif said that this narrative was created
through fake videos and pictures posted on social media. These videos and
audios are fake."
He added that such narratives had
been expressed against the state before, noting that "such voices usually
come from outside the country". Elements bolster these claims … It is
usually terrorist organizations that hide under the guise of human rights
abuses when they are prosecuted.
DG ISPR said that another way is
when certain people or NGOs outside Pakistan give statements for money that
human rights violations are happening inside Pakistan and the state is behind
it. However, he said the government was aware of these tactics and had briefed
foreign media and consulates about it.
"The planners and
facilitators of May 9 cannot hide behind this clamor about human rights
violations," Maj. Gen. Sharif stressed, adding that "the currency of
lies and the truth must be eliminated." "It's time to digest."
He further advised against the spread of fake news and sensationalism, saying
that "responsible journalism" is important to combat propaganda in
the country.
Intelligence Operations
The DG ISPR said that although a
"dirty attack on the Pakistan Army was planned", security forces
conducted 13,619 intelligence operations this year in which 1,172 terrorists
were killed or arrested, he detailed. "On a day by day premise, more than
77 operations are being conducted by the outfitted powers, police, insights
offices and other law requirement organizations to annihilate the threat of
fear mongering," he said.
Major General Sharif further said
that 95 soldiers lost their lives in these operations. The entire nation pays
tribute to these brave sons and their heirs. He vowed that Pakistan will
continue its war against terrorism "till the last terrorist is
eliminated".
'All genuine political parties are respectable to us'
Responding to a question on
whether the army would be flexible in negotiating with the PTI chief, DG Sharif
said that all genuine political parties are respectful to the army. If you read
our May 15 press release, there It has been said that the army wants all the
political stakeholders to sit together and create a national consensus. We said
this on May 15 after May 9 to build confidence in the people, economic
stability and the values of democracy should be strong in Pakistan.
DG ISPR also highlighted that
Pakistan Army supports all such actions and will continue to do so. On a
question regarding the expulsion of politicians from PTI after May 9, DG Sharif
said that Whether or not to leave the party is a "personal matter".
Defense
budget
Talking approximately the
financial circumstance of the nation, DG ISPR said that in terms of defense
budget allotment, 12.5% of the budget displayed this year is at the most
reduced level within the country's history.
DG ISPR clarified that
"Army, Air Force and Navy do not consider themselves separate from the
country or its economy, we are part of it and our problems are collective"
are engaging in "belt tightening" and meeting their needs through
"self-reliance rather than foreign procurement".
"I can assure you that the
operational readiness of the Pakistan Army is being completed and we are fully
aware of it," assured DG Sharif, adding that despite economic sanctions,
Pakistan has been fighting terrorism for years.
