A district and sessions court of Islamabad on Thursday discharged Lieutenant General (retd) Amjad Shoaib from the case registered against him for “inciting the public against national institutions”.
The orders were issued by Additional District and Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra when he announced the verdict on the review plea filed by the former three-star general against his physical remand.
The judge had earlier heard the arguments on the plea and reserved his verdict on the petition.
During the hearing, the prosecution had opposed the discharge request made by Shoaib’s lawyers.
Speaking after the dismissal of the case, Amjad Shoaib said this was the third fake case filed against him.
“I am here, my life is for Pakistan. I never asked for a position, nor do I have any association with any political party,” said the defence analyst, adding he has never met Imran Khan.
Shoaib added that whatever he says, it is for Pakistan.
“I have seen a lot in my life, fought two wars, witnessed partition, and in the light of one’s experience if you advise someone it should not be considered a crime.”
He further said that when he gives analysis, it is his own analysis and what meaning does anyone conceive from his views, it is the individual’s own choice.
A first information report (FIR) was registered against Lt Gen (retd) Shoaib on February 25 at Islamabad’s Ramna Police Station.
The FIR was registered under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups, etc) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
According to the FIR, filed on the complaint of Islamabad Magistrate Owais Khan, the former army officer “incited” people to revolt against institutions and attempted to provoke “disharmony, and anarchy and create a law and order situation” in the country through his controversial statements made on a TV show.
“Through his remarks and analysis, Lt Gen (retd) Amjad Shoaib has suggested government employees against carrying out their official duties. The aim of his controversial advice to the people, government employees and an opposition party is to promote enmity among the people.”
The statement of the former military official, the FIR stated, is part of a “planned conspiracy” to weaken the country.
