In an explosive interview to Aaj Tak, former Pakistan military officer and whistleblower Major (Retired) Adil Raja has accused the Pakistani Army and Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI of making arms of Britain’s defamation laws to suppress their voice. The king is now living in exile in London.
The hearing in the defamation case filed against him is starting from July 21. He says that this case has been filed to intimidate his journalism and scare him for criticizing Pakistan. In this trial, the king face Pakistani military officer Brigadier Rashid Nasir, who has claimed defamation after the king publicly accused him of political and judicial manipulation.
ISI made false cases against Adil Raja
At the same time, the king says that his allegations are supported by evidence and people are aware of it in Pakistan. The king has been freed from the allegations of terrorism by Britain officials after 9 months of investigation in 2023. He said that this civil lawsuit is the new strategy of ISI, which he calls ‘Lafe’. According to the king, ISI is using foreign law to suppress disagreement.
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The former military officer referred to the shocking revenge actions against his family in Pakistan, including his mother’s alleged detention and cancellation of passports, and an acid attack on Shahzad Akbar, a major witness in the UK. The king has warned that the decision against him may lead to a dangerous global example, which will give the courage to silence Pakistan’s officials through foreign courts.
Court martial even after being acquitted of all allegations
He said, ‘This is not just my fight, it is about the freedom of the press.’ Adil Raja said, ‘I was arrested by the anti-terrorism police of Britain in 2023 for a few hours. Pakistani media reported it. The Pakistani government arrested me under anti-terrorism laws, saying that my journalism is provoking violence in Pakistan. But Britain’s anti-terrorism police investigated for nine months and acquitted me of all the allegations. But this could not stop my previous institution (Pakistani Army), where I worked as a third generation officer, he decided to court martial in 2020.
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Referring to the revenge actions against his family, the king said, ‘My mother lives in Pakistan, who was kidnapped and kept hostage. So I do not go to meet him. He is under house arrest. His passport has been canceled. Once he was abducted with my uncle while going to the airport, who has passed away. He was a retired colonel. Now they are not allowed to go out. The passports of my entire family have been blocked. His nationality has also been canceled. Just because I am raising my voice for the truth and the people of Pakistan.
Adil Raja is on the target of Asim Munir
Adil Raja directly blamed the Pakistani Army Chief General Aseem Munir for all this. He said that ISI Director General Lt Gen Asim Malik is also directly involved in this. They know that their opportunities are less, so they keep it weak and press the coverage. The English media in Pakistan is dependent on government advertisements, so they only print what the power establishment wants. Pakistani military establishments, Army Chief Aseem Munir, ISI Director General Asim Malik, Major General Faisal Nasir, Brigadier Rashid Nasir, these people are behind me. They are in danger to my life. These same people who are threatening my witnesses.
Adil Raja says that he could not reach me, the only reason for this is that I am alert and trained and the British police is protecting me. But this fight is very big. My country is my life. I will fight for this. Peace is the only way to move forward- Shanti can make South Asia the most rich region again as before.
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