Pakistan Brigadier arrested over Hizbut Tahrir links likely to be released soon

Islamabad, Brigadier Ali Khan, who is in Pakistani custody over his alleged links to banned extremist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT), is likely to be released soon, his family and officials have said.

The brigadier and four unnamed majors are in custody for questioning over their suspected ties with HuT, which calls for creating a pan-Islamic caliphate system by ousting what it says the pro-American government in the country.

Military officials grilling the brigadier have yet not found enough evidence to formally charge him, said a military official familiar with the development.

You need to have very solid evidence to charge-sheet anyone in the military. At the moment there is no such thing against the detained officers, including Brigadier Ali, The Express Tribune quoted the official, as saying on the condition of anonymity.

Brigadier Ali is likely to be released soon, he added.

It remains unclear whether Brigadier Ali, who is due to retire on July 9, will be dismissed from service or allowed to go home with his perks and privileges intact.

Sources said that though Brigadier Ali was allegedly in contact with HuT, the main reason behind his detention appears to be his highly critical stance on the armys high command over its relationship with the United States.

But this act does not constitute a serious offence that would warrant a serious punishment such as court-martial, sources pointed out.

Brigadier Alis family has also confirmed that they have been given indications that he would be reunited with them in a few days. Brigadier Ali also spoke to his family last week for the first time since he was taken into custody on May 6.


Military spokesperson Major General Athar Abbas has also confirmed that Brigadier Ali and four other detained majors have yet to be formally charge-sheeted.