Ex-army officer convicted of inciting sedition

RAWALPINDI: A retired army officer has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years jail through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 on the charge of inciting sedition among army personnel from discharge of duties.

Pursuant to the court martial and award of rigorous punishment of 14 years to Lieutenant Colonel Akbar Hussain, the rank of officer has also been forfeited, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said on Tuesday.

The court of competent jurisdiction adjudged him ‘guilty’ of the offence charged, through due judicial process and awarded the punishment of 14 years rigorous imprisonment on May 10, 2024.

Pursuant to the awarded sentence, the rank of the officer has been forfeited on July 26, 2024.

Earlier, ex-Major (retd) Adil Farooq Raja and ex-Captain (retd) Haider Raza Mehdi were also convicted and sentenced through the FGCM 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 had convicted and adjudged both Adil Farooq Raja and Haider Raza Mehdi on October 7 and 9, 2023, through due judicial process, with the punishments awarded as 14 and 12 years of rigorous imprisonment respectively and forfeiture of rank of both individuals with effect from November 21, 2023.