Lt. Col. (retd.) Akbar Hussain of the Pakistan Army has been convicted for “inciting sedition,” and sentenced to 14 years’ rigorous punishment, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Tuesday.
According to the military’s media wing, the retired Army officer was sentenced through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, for inciting sedition among Army personnel from the discharge of their duties. It said the court of competent jurisdiction adjudged him “guilty” of the offense charged, through due judicial process, and awarded the punishment of 14 years rigorous imprisonment on May 10.
In light of the announced sentence, it said, Hussain’s rank was forfeited on July 26, 2024.
Hussain is the third retired Army officer to be convicted and sentenced through a FGCM. Earlier, Maj. (retd.) Adil Farooq Raja and Capt. (retd.) Haider Raza Mehdi were similarly convicted and sentenced for inciting sedition among Army personnel from the discharge of their duties and violating provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 related to espionage and acts prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state.
Both men were convicted last year, with Raja sentenced to 14 years’ rigorous imprisonment and Mehdi 12 years.