Top Pakistan Army officers sacked for corruption

Pakistan Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif on Thursday sacked 11 senior Army officers and two soldiers over corruption charges — a decision bound to add pressure on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif whose family faces the Panama leaks scandal.

Officials said General Sharif had terminated as many as 11 Army officers, including Lt. General Obaid Ullah Khattak, Major General Ijaz Shah, five brigadiers, three colonels and one major. Two soldiers were also sacked. The development came two days after the Army Chief called for accountability across the board in the country amid Panama leaks brouhaha. General Sharif earlier said that accountability at all levels was necessary in order to eliminate terrorism. He said that peace and stability were not possible without ending corruption. According to media reports, Lt. General Obaidullah Khan Khattak was among the military officers dismissed. General Khattak was promoted to the rank in 2013 when he was serving as inspector general of the Frontier Corps in Balochistan.

Major General Ijaz Shahid, Brigadier Rashid, Brigadier Asad Shahzada, Brigadier Saifullah, Brigadier Amir, Lt. Colonel Haider and Major Najeeb were among those sacked.

Officials said senior officers have been stripped of their ranks, and perks and privileges they were entitled to. They will only receive their pensions and medical facilities.