For a long time, we have been informing the people of Pakistan about an ongoing and relentless purge within the ranks of the Pakistan Army. This systematic operation, orchestrated by the GHQ AG Branch and PS Directorate, is being executed under the supervision of the highly controversial Adjutant General and his DG PS&PM. The operation has been directly supported by the ISI and MI, leading to the removal of thousands of officers and soldiers based on ethnicity and sectarian affiliation.
The “Bajwai Regime” Role
Under a meticulously planned strategy, former Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa (Retd), operating under the code name “Bajwai Regime”, systematically targeted thousands of Pashtun and Shia officers and soldiers. This purge was executed to facilitate the Regime Change Operation 2022 and was carried out with the assistance of the following close associates of Bajwa:
- General Sahir Shamshad Mirza (Ex-AG, current CJCSC)
- PA-26682 Lt Gen Muhammad Amer (Retd) (Ex-AG, current Ambassador to UAE)
- PA-25847 Lt Gen Abdul Aziz (Retd) (Ex-MS, former Commander 4 Corps Lahore)
- PA-28257 Maj Gen Muhammad Imtiaz Khan (Retd) (Ex-DG PS&PM – 3 PR)
- PA-30777 Maj Gen Rashid Mehmood, AC (Ex-DPS-1)
Following his extension in 2019, Bajwa initiated this mass-scale purging operation to clear the path for the Regime Change Operation-2022. Reports estimate that over 4,500 officers have been removed under various pretexts, including Dismissal from Service, Compulsory Retirement Due to Fault of an Officer, and Compulsory Retirement Due to No Fault of an Officer. This systematic purge has not only affected their professional lives but also inflicted severe financial restrictions, including asset freezes, denial of service benefits, placement on the Exit Control List (ECL), and travel bans.
Legal Struggles and Unchecked Military Authority
Despite constitutional restrictions under Article 199(3), some dismissed officers have taken legal action by filing petitions in the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench. One of the most prominent figures in this legal battle is Ex-Major General Manzoor Ahmed, formerly of CMI (Corps of Military Intelligence), who has been fighting for justice for the past four years. His legal battle includes:
- Writ Petition #2196/2021
- Intra Court Appeal #62/2021 (Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench)
Evidence of his case is appended below:
However, his case remains undecided, as Justice Jawad and Justice Mirza Viqar are reportedly hesitant to deliver a verdict due to potential repercussions from the military high command.
Betrayal from Within: The Role of Advocate Abid Saqi
In a shocking revelation, reports suggest that Advocate Abid Saqi, a senior lawyer and PPP stalwart, has been deliberately delaying the legal process under the influence of GHQ’s AG Branch. It indicates the high handed tactice of the army headquarters in creating hurdles for the officers seeking justice, after being discharged for standing up for the constitution of Pakistan.
Advocate Abid Saqi ( Lawyer of Maj Gen Manzoor Ahmed )
Additionally, Advocate Abid Saqi’s close ties with Lt Gen Muhammad Amer (Retd) raise serious concerns about a conflict of interest. Initially, Ex-Maj Gen Manzoor Ahmed was prematurely retired in 2020. However, after persistent efforts and appeals to the President and Ministry of Defence, he was dismissed outright without a court of inquiry or judicial proceedings.
Several other dismissed officers, who have challenged their removal in court, attribute this injustice to the unchecked powers of the COAS. Due to the absence of a transparent merit and justice system, the credibility and integrity of the Pakistan Army have suffered significantly.
The Growing Wave of Retaliation
Reports from the 786 Intelligence Battalion—an outfit of dissident officers within the Pakistan Army secretly working with me to expose these gross injustices and the military’s role in dismantling democracy to maintain political control over Pakistan—indicate that many compulsorily retired or dismissed officers are now seeking revenge against those responsible for their removal. The masterminds behind this purge are now potential targets for retaliation. A senior Pakistan Army officer from the 786 Intelligence Battalion stated that many affected officers, driven by the Pashtunwali code of honor, may seek retribution in due course.
Some of the effected officers have reportedly joined militant organizations such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), assuming leadership roles in these insurgent movements against the state.
Evidence of Manipulation and Coercion
Organogram of the PS Directorate of the GHQ
Further intelligence reports reveal that the AG Branch, through ISI and MI, has been relentlessly tracking and coercing these dismissed officers to deter them from seeking justice. Their tactics include:
- Fabricated criminal cases: Many officers have been falsely implicated in criminal cases registered through police and the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), which is commanded by a serving major general.
- Intimidation and harassment: Officers pursuing legal action are harassed through frequent raids and surveillance.
- Tragic consequences: The psychological toll of this operation has led to suicides, including those of Lt Col Junaid Qazi and Major Mobin.
Lt Col Junaid Tahir Qazi, 4 Cavalry Regiment, 97 PMA L/C, son of Lt Gen Qazi (Retd) who committed suicide due to his matrimonial issue spoiled by PS Dte
- Exploitation through PS Directorate’s Matrimonial Cell: Reports indicate that personal lives of officers are also being manipulated to apply additional pressure on them.
Psychological Effects and Mental Trauma
The affected officers and their families have endured severe psychological distress due to this systematic purge. Many have reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD as they struggle to cope with the financial, legal, and social repercussions of their forced removal. The lack of a support system and the fear of persecution have left many in a state of chronic distress, further worsening their mental health.
Conclusion
The mass purging operation within the Pakistan Army has not only disrupted careers but has also created a deep divide within the institution. The unchecked power wielded by the military establishment, particularly the AG Branch and ISI, has led to severe repercussions for the integrity of the armed forces. With many officers taking legal recourse or resorting to alternative measures for justice, the situation remains volatile. The evidence presented in this article highlights the grave injustices faced by Pashtun and Shia officers and the urgent need for accountability and reform within Pakistan’s military structure.
