Lieutenant Colonel Akbar Hussain, a retired officer of Pakistan Army, was handed a 14-year jail sentence after the court of competent jurisdiction adjudged him ‘guilty’ over charges of inciting sedition among army personnel from discharge of duties, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Akbar Hussain was convicted and sentenced through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.

“The court of competent jurisdiction adjudged him ‘guilty’ of the offence charged, through due judicial process and awarded the punishment of 14 years rigorous imprisonment on 10th May 2024.

“Pursuant to the awarded sentence, the Rank of the officer has been forfeited on 26 July 2024,” the ISPR said.

Ex-Major (Retired) Adil Farooq Raja and Ex-Captain (Retired) Haider Raza Mehdi were also earlier convicted and sentenced through FGCM under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 for the charges of inciting sedition among army personnel from discharge of duties and violation of the provisions of Official Secrets Act, 1923 related to espionage and acts prejudicial to the safety and interest of the State.

The court of competent jurisdiction had convicted and adjudged both Adil Farooq Raja and Haider Raza Mehdi on the date of October 7 and 9, 2023, through due judicial process, with the punishments awarded as 14 and 12 years of rigorous imprisonment respectively and forfeiture of rank of both individuals with effect from November 21, 2023, the military’s media wing said.