PTI has its own media spokespersons, hence only official statements should be acknowledged, says Qaiser
- Asad Qaiser says PTI has no association with Raja, Mehdi.
- The same YouTubers campaigned against Qureshi, Parvez Elahi, says.
- “We want the supremacy of the constitution and the law,” says the PTI leader.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced its disassociation from veterans and YouTubers Adil Raja and Haider Mehdi and asked people not to trust them.
In a video statement, PTI leader Asad Qaiser, while flanked by Sher Afzal Marwat and other party leaders, said his party had no association with Raja and Mehdi.
“PTI has its own media and spokespersons, therefore, the statement issued only by these official platforms must be acknowledged,” Qaiser said, criticizing its smear campaign against Marwat.
The PTI leader earlier said that the same YouTubers also led social media campaigns against Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Parvez Elahi.
He also said that PTI leaders never spoke against the military but their struggle related to the constitution and law would continue. He also quoted the PTI founder as saying that he, the country and the army, belonged to him.
“We only want the supremacy of the constitution and the law,” he said.
Raja and Mehdi court-martialed
On 25 November 2023, the two retired Pakistan Army officers, Raja and Mehdi, were found guilty and sentenced for “inciting sedition” under the Army Act and for violations of the provisions of the Secrets Act. Officers.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had said: “Major (retd) Adil Farooq Raja and Captain (retd) Haider Raza Mehdi, both retired Pakistan Army officers, were found guilty and sentenced through Court Martial Field General (FGCM).
“The retired officers have been convicted under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 on charges of inciting sedition among army personnel in the discharge of their duties and violation of the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. related to espionage and acts harmful to the security and interest of the State.”
The media wing of the army had said that the court of competent jurisdiction convicted and adjudicated both the individuals on the date of October 7 and 9, 2023, through due judicial process. Major (retd) Raja had been sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, while Captain (retd) Mehdi was given 12 years of rigorous imprisonment, he said.
“Pursuant to the judgment passed, the ranks of both officers were forfeited on November 21, 2023,” the ISPR added.
Both court-martialed ex-servicemen are currently outside Pakistan.
