ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military court has sentenced the son of retired Major General to five years in prison for trying to foment anarchy in the army by writing a letter critical of extension given to COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa and asking for his resignation.
Citing the BBC Urdu service, The News International reported that the culprit wrote a letter of criticism to Bajwa over the extension and demanded his resignation.
Hassan Askari, son of Major General (retd) Zafar Mehdi Askari, a computer engineer by profession, has been sentenced by the Field General Court Martial under Section 131 of the Pakistan Penal Code for criticizing the extension of General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure.
The News reported that in the FIR, Askari has been accused of criticizing the army’s high command and senior officers for spreading chaos in the army at the behest of external enemies.
Meanwhile, the father’s petition citing difficulties in meeting his son at the Sahiwal Jail had solicited the help of the Federal Ministry of Human Rights in shifting Askari to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail as his parents were old and sick, especially his mother who requires dialysis thrice a week.
According to Gen Mehdi Askari, the Prisons Department was also requested to help in transferring the prisoner to Adiala Jail but they did not respond to the request. He also cited difficulties in meeting his son, claiming they have only been able to meet him once. The LHC, Rawalpindi Bench, issued notices to Field General Court Martial and other relevant officers.
Earlier in January 2021, the case was heard by the Islamabad High Court which directed holding the treason trial in camera.
