Current Final

Tag: ISPR

  • ‘Will come out again for Imran Khan,’ pardoned May 9 convict says

    ‘Will come out again for Imran Khan,’ pardoned May 9 convict says

    A pardoned May 9 rioter has said that he would once again take to streets whenever jailed former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan or leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) asked for it.

    “On May 9 [2023], Imran Khan was arrested [and] our leadership told us to hold a peaceful protest,” said Said Alam, who was pardoned days after a military court sentenced him to two years in prison over his involvement in the May 9 riots.

    He accused authorities of forcing him to claim that Khan’s speeches had “brainwashed” him, but said that he refused to comply. “I was also told to record a statement against my MPA and MNA [for inciting violence], which too I declined.”

    “I have spent 20 months in jail […] my sacrifices are nothing as compared to those who lost their lives while protesting on May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024,” he said, alleging that his only crime was being a supporter of Khan.

    To a question about the conditions in which May 9 rioters were kept, Alam said that they had not subjected to physical violence. However, he added, they sure went through mental agony.

    “We [under-trial prisoners and convicts] were not allowed to meet anyone in jail. We were kept isolated,” Alam said, adding that they were allowed to read the newspaper and use a mobile phone.

    When asked about the mercy petitions that led to the release of 19 rioters soon after a total of 85 were convicted by a military court, he said they were filed at the time of their transfer to civilian jails. “We were told to confess to our actions in mercy petitions.”

    It merits a mention that hundreds were arrested following nationwide violent protests led by the PTI following PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023.

    At least 10 people lost their lives, and over a hundred others sustained injuries in the protests that continued on May 9 and May 10. Around 40 public buildings and military installations were attacked by the rioters. 

    Alam’s interview comes hours after his release from jail. He was among the 85 rioters who have so far been convicted by a military court in connection with attacks on military establishments.

    According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a total of 67 convicts had filed mercy petitions, of which 48 were processed for appeal. Of the 48, 19 were pardoned on humanitarian grounds.

  • May 9 riots: Military pardons 19 convicts on humanitarian grounds

    May 9 riots: Military pardons 19 convicts on humanitarian grounds

    The military has pardoned 19 convicts in the May 9 riots case on humanitarian grounds, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

    According to the military media wing, a total of 67 convicts had filed mercy petitions, of which 48 have been processed for appeal. The pleas of 19 convicts have been accepted “purely on humanitarian grounds under the law”.

    The development comes weeks after military courts sentenced a total of 85 people in connection with attacks on state establishments following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in May 2023.

    At least 10 people lost their lives and over a hundred others sustained injuries in the violent protests that continued on May 9 and May 10. Approximately 40 public buildings and military installations were attacked by rioters. These included Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), Askari Tower in Lahore, General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, ISI Office in Faisalabad, FC Fort in Chakdara, Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar, Toll Plaza at Swat Motorway and the Mianwali Air Base.

    In December, the ISPR had in two separate statements announced the convictions of 25 and 60 under-trial prisoners by military courts. The convicts had been sentenced to jail terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in the nationwide riots. PTI founder and former prime minister Khan’s nephew, Hassaan Khan Niazi, was also among the convicts and was sentenced to 10 years in jail for the attack on the residence of Lahore Corps Commander (Jinnah House).

    On Thursday, the military’s media wing said that 19 individuals whose mercy petitions were accepted would be released after completion of procedural formalities.

    “The remission of punishments is a testament to the strength of due process and fairness, which ensures that justice is served while also taking into account the principles of compassion and mercy,” it added.

    Among the freed convicts are:

    1. Muhammad Ayaz s/o Sahibzada Khan

    2. Sami Ullah s/o Meer dad Khan

    3. Laeeq Ahmed s/o Manzoor Ahmed

    4. Amjad Ali s/o Manzoor Ahmed

    5. Yasir Nawaz s/o Ameer Nawaz Khan

    6. Said Alam s/o Maaz Ullah Khan

    7. Zahid Khan s/o Muhammad Nabi

    8. Muhammad Suleman s/o Said Ghani Jan

    9. Hamza Sharif s/o Muhammad Azam

    10. Muhammad Salman s/o Zahid Nisar

    11. Asher Butt s/o Muhammad Arshad Butt

    12. Muhammad Waqas s/o Malik Muhammad Khalil

    13. Sufayan Idrees s/o Idrees Ahmed

    14. Muneeb Ahmed s/o Naveed Ahmed Butt

    15. Muhammad Ahmed s/o Muhammad Nazir

    16. Muhammad Nawaz s/o Abdul Samad

    17. Muhammad Ali s/o Muhammad Boota

    18. Muhammad Bilawal s/o Manzoor Hussain

    19. Muhammad Ilyas s/o Muhammad Fazal Haleem

  • ‘Defence par baat karne se pehle ISPR clearance kyun zaroori hai?’; High Court questions army control on defence analysis

    ‘Defence par baat karne se pehle ISPR clearance kyun zaroori hai?’; High Court questions army control on defence analysis

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to present the original noting file upon which the eligibility of a defence analyst is processed and recommended.

    Hearing a petition filed by Colonel (retd) Inamul Rahim Advocate, who challenged PEMRA’s April 4, 2019 notification, Justice Babar Sattar questioned the legal standing of Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) over their exclusive right to determine which defence analyst can appear on Pakistan TV.

    The April 4, 2019, notification stated that retired army officers could analyse defence matters on television news and current affairs programmes after obtaining ISPR clearance.

    The Islamabad court asked PEMRA’s counsel what the military media wing has to do with the pre-clearance of defence analysts with Pakistan’s sovereignty and how PEMRA can impose a prior restraint on speech.

    Citing section 20 of the PEMRA ordinance, the Counsel said that the provision assures responsibility of TV channels to protect national security, integrity and sovereignty.


    However, the case was adjourned until November 20.

  • Pakistan successfully tests Shaheen-II ballistic missile

    Pakistan successfully tests Shaheen-II ballistic missile

    Pakistan has successfully conducted a training launch of the surface-to-surface Shaheen-II ballistic missile, Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release.

    The military media wing stated that it aimed at performance evaluation of different subsystems incorporated for improved accuracy and enhanced survivability.

    The training launch was witnessed by senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, Army Strategic Forces Command, scientists and engineers of strategic organisations. ISPR noted

    Moreover, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and the three services chiefs congratulated the scientists and engineers on this accomplishment.

  • We now know the names of the officers arrested with Faiz

    We now know the names of the officers arrested with Faiz

    Sources have revealed the names of the three most senior retired military officers who were taken into army custody for acting as messengers between former Chief of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed and senior politicians.

    The officers identified are Brigadier (retd) Ghaffar and Brigadier (retd) Naeem and Colonel Asim, who were allegedly involved in a communication network with politicians.

    Both Brigadiers are from Chakwal and are considered close associates of the former spymaster.

    Earlier, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement claiming that three senior-ranking officers had been taken into custody for compromising military discipline.

  • Three more retired army officers taken into military custody: ISPR

    Three more retired army officers taken into military custody: ISPR

    Three more retired army officers have been taken into custody by Pakistan’s Army in connection with the recent arrest of Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid, according to a statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    This comes after the arrest of former spymaster Faiz Hamid earlier this week.

    “In connection with the FGCM proceedings of Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed, three retired officers are also in military custody for their actions prejudicial to military discipline,” noted the ISPR press release.

    The ISPR further stated that the retired officers were arrested for violations of military discipline.

    “Further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continuing,” the press release read.

    Faiz Hameed was taken into custody by the army on August 12, over allegations of land grabbing and seizing valuables from the owner of Top City Housing Society.

  • COAS holds a reception for Army veterans, but netizens notice some ‘missing officers’

    COAS holds a reception for Army veterans, but netizens notice some ‘missing officers’

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, hosted a reception in honour of Pakistan Army veterans on Independence Day that brought together many retired army officers and soldiers.

    In a press release, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated, “COAS paid heartfelt tribute to the contributions of the retired personnel, lauding their dedication and instrumental role in shaping the nation’s history.”

    “COAS also cautioned against the insidious threat of fake news and propaganda being perpetrated by inimical elements to weaken the bond between the people of Pakistan and the Armed Forces,” said the ISPR press release.

    However, in an interesting development, netizens noticed a peculiar absence of some officers in the pictures circulating on social media.

    Former COAS Gen (retd) Bajwa was not seen in the picture even though Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif and Gen (retd) Kayani were present.

    Likewise, General (retd) Ahmad Shuja Pasha and Gen (retd) Zaheer-ul-Islam were also noticeably absent from the reception.

    This comes after the Pakistan Army arrested former spymaster Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, in charge of corruption and misuse of authority.

  • Four soldiers embrace shahadat, six terrorists killed in South Waziristan

    Four soldiers embrace shahadat, six terrorists killed in South Waziristan

    Four soldiers embraced martyrdom while six terrorists were killed when a skirmish broke out between security forces and terrorists in South Waziristan, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    The ISPR statement stated, “On night 12/ 13 August 2024, a fire exchange took place between the security forces and Khwarij in South Waziristan District.”

    Havildar Nisar Hussain, 34, a resident of District Kurram; Naik Rashid Gul, 34, a resident of District Kurram; Naik Irfan Ullah Khan, 30, a resident of District Lakki Marwat; and Sepoy Usman Rafaqat, 21, a resident of District Haripur, fought bravely to defend the motherland, embracing martyrdom.

    Since the Taliban regime came to place in Afghanistan, the security situation in Pakistan has worsened, with Pakistan repeatedly calling on Kabul to reign in TTP in its territory.

  • PTI office raid revealed Gen Faiz’s role in facilitating PTI, alleges Omar Cheema

    PTI office raid revealed Gen Faiz’s role in facilitating PTI, alleges Omar Cheema

    Journalist Omar Cheema revealed last night on his YouTube channel, Omar Cheema Exclusive, that when authorities raided the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretariat last month, they found evidence of former spymaster Lt Gen (retd) Faiz’s “role in facilitating PTI.”

    On July 13, former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid was taken into custody by the army over allegations of land grabbing and snatching valuables from the owner of a private housing society

    Omar alleged, “Gen Faiz was connected to PTI leadership and trained them to bypass intelligence agencies’ supervision because he was the inside man.”

    The journalist further claimed, “The problem that the army is facing is the involvement of its own people with PTI. And the leader of all these internal dissenters is Gen Faiz.”

    He stated that the founder of PTI, Imran Khan, was getting some facilities in jail that nobody could explain until now.

    Cheema claimed that the Top City Case in which Gen Faiz was found guilty was just for optics, while the real reason was his cooperation with PTI and Imran Khan.

    “This is a big setback for Imran Khan because his biggest supporter has been arrested,” said Cheema.

    He said this indicates where the relationship between the army and the PTI is going.

  • Time for nation to stand against ‘digital terrorists’, says DG ISPR

    Time for nation to stand against ‘digital terrorists’, says DG ISPR

    Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) addressed a press conference today, stating that the entire nation needs to stand up against “digital terrorists.”

    “Digital terrorism is being carried out on social media. The army is standing up against terrorists and digital terrorists. The time has come for the entire nation to stand up against them,” he stated.

    He underscored that critical national issues were being politicized in the country, referring to Azm-e-Istehkam as an example.

    “Azm-e-Istehkam is a comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism campaign, not a military operation per se as it is being presented,” the DG ISPR said during a press conference in Rawalpindi.

    He further said, “Azm-e-Istehkam is not a military operation. Why is Azm-e-Istehkam being made controversial? There’s a strong lobby which wants the objectives of Azm-e-Istehkam not to be fulfilled. It is being politicized.”

    Meanwhile, the military spokesman also dismissed rumours that the establishment had no role in the recent Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) protest: “There’s so much fake news that people keep saying whatever they want to. Since the protesters cleared the area peacefully, it was being claimed that there’s ‘someone’s hand’ behind it.”