On Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) lifted the stay on the execution of five former Pakistan Navy officers convicted in the high-profile 2014 dockyard attack case.
This ruling clears the way for the execution of the five men, who were sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) for their role in the attack on Pakistan’s naval dockyard. The executions had been delayed by a stay order, but the court’s decision now removes this legal barrier.
The five officers—Arslan Nazir Satti, Mohammad Hamad, Mohammad Tahir Rashid, Hamad Ahmed, and Irfanullah—were convicted for their involvement in the 2014 dockyard attack, which targeted critical naval assets. In September 2014, the attackers boarded a Pakistan Navy frigate, triggering a gun battle with commandos from the Special Services Group (SSG). The confrontation lasted six hours, resulting in the deaths of at least two attackers and the capture of four others.
The convicted officers had petitioned for access to certain court documents, including the inquiry report and judgment. Their lawyer, retired Colonel Inam-ur-Rehman, argued that although they had been given limited access to some documents, they had not received full copies of the report or judgment. The Navy, citing national security concerns, had refused to provide full access, classifying the inquiry report to prevent any compromise to security.
In its ruling, the court agreed that the convicted officers should be granted access to relevant documents in their case, but stopped short of releasing the full inquiry report. The Navy had argued that making the full report available could pose a risk to national security.
The five officers were sentenced to death by the FGCM after being found guilty of espionage, aiding the enemy, and conspiring with foreign elements to attack Pakistan’s naval assets. The IHC reaffirmed that the executions could proceed unless new legal developments arise.
This ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over the punishment of the convicted officers. The case has sparked debate, with some supporting the death sentence due to the gravity of the crime, while others have raised concerns about the fairness of the trial and the severity of the sentence.
The five men still have the option to appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court. For now, however, the execution orders stand, and the legal process continues.
