Pakistani Ex-Army Officers' Plot to Overthrow Government in 1995 Fails, Supreme Court Upholds Convictions

Pakistan's Supreme Court has dismissed the pleas of two former army officers who were convicted for plotting to overthrow the government of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1995. The ex-army officers, Col Mohammad Azad Minhas and Col Inayat Ullah Khan, along with other military officers, were arrested on charges of planning to assassinate Bhutto and other top government and military officials. The alleged plan also included the proclamation of an Islamic system of Khilafat.

The details of the conspiracy were revealed by a witness who turned approver. The Field General Court Martial (FGCM) handed out various prison sentences to those involved. Col Minhas and Col Khan, who were court-martialed in 1996, had appealed their sentences. The Supreme Court, after considering arguments from both sides, concluded that the sentences were legal and justified. The court also observed that the petitions filed by the former officers were not maintainable and lacked legal foundation. The pleas were dismissed, upholding the convictions.