Islamabad High Court Lifts Stay on Death Sentence of 5 Former Navy Officers

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has lifted the stay on the death sentence of five former navy officers who were convicted by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) in connection with the Dockyard Attack case. The court also disposed of the petition filed by the former officers seeking access to documents related to their case.
The five former naval officers—Arslan Nazir Satti, Muhammad Hamad, Muhammad Tahir Rashid, Hamad Ahmad, and Irfan Ullah—were sentenced to death in the high-profile case. The petitioners had filed a request to obtain the inquiry report and judgment of their case. During the court proceedings, the petitioners’ lawyer, Colonel (retired) Inam-ur-Rehman, stated that while access to the inquiry report and judgment had been granted, copies were not provided despite the court’s directions. He noted that the inquiry report and judgment had been shown to them, and relevant notices had been made.
The navy authorities had previously refused to provide copies of the Board of Inquiry report, citing national security concerns. However, the court ruled that the convicted officers should be granted access to the relevant records of their case. The five naval personnel were sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial, and the execution of their sentences had been stayed by the Islamabad High Court until the latest ruling.