Pakistan: Three Officers, Including Lt General, Sacked Over Violence Following Imran Khan's Arrest

During the press conference, Maj Gen Sharif also showed a video montage of testimony from martyrs' families. 

PTI party activists and supporters of former Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, clash with police during a protest against the arrest of their leader

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Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director-General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), stated that the violence that erupted on May 9 following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan were "undoubtedly" a plot against the country that had been prepared for months.

He announced that Pakistan Army had sacked three officers, including a Lieutenant-General, and action was taken against three major- generals and seven brigadiers for failing to protect the military installations during the May 9 violence.

"The incident of May 9 is extremely disappointing, condemnable and a black chapter in the history of our country," Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, and added that what the country's foes could not accomplish in 76 years, some "miscreants and their facilitators did."

He said that the incident was "unquestionably a conspiracy against Pakistan." "The events of May 9 will neither be forgotten, nor will planners and facilitators of it be forgiven," he said. 

"The investigation carried out till now has proven that May 9 was being planned for the past several months," elaborated the major-general and added that "under this planning, first a conducive environment was created and people were instigated and provoked against the army," Maj Gen Sharif further stated.

He went on to say that a "narrative based on lies and exaggeration was spread on social media inside and outside the country" and that officials had gathered proof supporting it. 

Maj-Gen Sharif revealed specifics of sanctions meted out to military commanders who failed in their duty on May 9, including the dismissal of one three-star officer, a lieutenant general. "Three officers, including a lieutenant-general, have been fired and disciplinary proceedings against other officers, including three major generals and seven brigadiers, have been completed," he said. 

He said: "From punishments handed out, you may believe that the military does not discriminate when holding accountable its own."

Following the events of May 9, he stated, inquiry commissions led by major-general rank commanders were formed. "Following a deliberate accountability process, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against those who failed to maintain the security and honours of military garrisons, installations, Jinnah House and General Headquarters," he said.