Pakistan Army Chief endorses death sentence for retired brigadier, a civilian for espionage

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has endorsed the sentence of two senior retired army officers and one civil officer on the charges of espionage, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

According to ISPR, Lieutenant General (retd) Javed Iqbal, Brigadier (retd) Raja Rizwan, and Dr Wasim Akram, an employee at a sensitive organization — were convicted of espionage activities and leaking sensitive information to foreign agencies prejudice to national security.

“The officers were tried under Pakistan Army Act (PAA) and Official Secret Act by separate Field General Court Marshal (FGCM) for separate cases,” said the statement issued by the military’s media wing.

As per the detail issued by the military’s media wing, Brigadier (retd) Raja Rizwan and Dr Wasim Akram were awarded death sentences.While Lt-Gen (retd) Javed Iqbal was awarded 14 years rigorous imprisonment.

The ISPR, however, did not disclose the exact nature of espionage the officers have been convicted of.

ISPR also released a video statement of Major General Asif Ghafoor confirming the arrest of the two officers and their court-marital.

“Reports started circulating in the media that two senior army officers were under arrest. Yes they are. There are two officers who are under military custody on the charges of espionage,” Major General Asif Ghafoor confirms in the video.

“The army chief has ordered a field general court martial which is under process.”

Major General Asif Ghafoor said that both were separate cases and not linked to one another in any way “and there is no network as such”.

“When the court martial process is complete, I will share whatever results emerge with you.”