Jawad Saeed
Jawad Saeed | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Pakistan |
| Branch | Pakistan Air Force |
| Service years | 1986–2021 |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Commands | |
| Awards | |
Jawad Saeed (SI, TI (M)) is a retired Pakistan Air Force officer who attained the rank of air marshal. Commissioned in 1986, he held several high-level commands, including the Northern Air Command, before retiring in 2021. In 2024, Saeed was arrested and subjected to a court-martial for allegedly leaking sensitive military information to his brother in the United States, resulting in a 14-year prison sentence under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.[1]
Saeed's conviction drew legal challenges from his family, who petitioned the Islamabad High Court and Lahore High Court for details of the proceedings, citing procedural irregularities.[1]
Career
Saeed was commissioned in the General Duties (Pilot) branch of the Pakistan Air Force on 1 November 1986.[2][3] During his early service, he commanded a fighter squadron and later a fighter wing.[2] Saeed also served as an operational air base commander and held staff appointments, including director of operations and personal staff officer to the then Chief of the Air Staff.[2]
He is a graduate of the Combat Commanders' School, PAF Air War College, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.[2]
Senior commands
Saeed was promoted to air vice-marshal and commanded an operational air base as well as a regional air command.[2] In 2018, he was elevated to the rank of air marshal alongside Air Marshals Syed Noman Ali and Zaheer Ahmad Babar.[3] Following his promotion, Saeed assumed command of the Northern Air Command.[2]
He later served as Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Administration) in 2020–2021, positioning him as a potential successor to Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan in 2021.[4] Saeed retired upon reaching the age of superannuation on 18 March 2021.[5]
Court-martial and conviction
On 21 January 2024, Saeed was arrested at his residence in Islamabad on charges of leaking sensitive information.[6] The Pakistan Air Force initiated a Field General Court Martial under the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, charging him with sedition, espionage, and violations of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.[7][8]
The charges centred on allegations that Saeed shared classified details, including fighter jet deployments at Mianwali Airbase, with his brother residing in the United States.[9][10] A PAF spokesperson described the information as "extremely sensitive" and confirmed the sharing occurred post-retirement.[9]
The trial concluded swiftly, with the charge sheet served on 21 February 2024 and proceedings completed within two days.[7] On 29 April 2024, a military court sentenced Saeed to 14 years' imprisonment.[11][12] He was detained in a PAF officers' mess designated as a "sub-jail" due to the case's sensitivity, rather than a civilian prison.[9]
Saeed's wife, Shazia Jawad, filed a habeas corpus petition in the Islamabad High Court in March 2024, alleging unlawful detention and seeking his recovery.[13] The court dismissed the petition after PAF confirmed his custody but allowed a separate challenge to the court-martial.[7] Shazia later approached the Lahore High Court, claiming procedural flaws, including denial of counsel of choice and lack of family notification.[9][11] PAF refused to disclose records, citing national security under the Pakistan Air Force Act.[11]
The family alleged the arrest stemmed from a white paper Saeed authored exposing corruption among senior PAF officials, including the Air Chief, rather than the information leak.[14] PAF denied this, stating the court-martial was solely for the leak and unrelated to any administrative role in Operation Swift Retort in 2019.[14] Following his conviction, Saeed's pension was discontinued, though family medical benefits were partially restored.[6]
As of November 2025, Saeed remains in custody, with ongoing legal efforts by his family to access proceedings details.[9]
Awards
In 2018, in recognition of his service, Saeed was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military).[15]
References
- ^ a b "'Ex-air marshal shared official info with brother'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Three PAF officers promoted as Air Marshal". The News International. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Three PAF officers promoted to Air Marshal rank". The Express Tribune. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "New air chief to take command on March 19". The News International. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ Shirazi, Qaiser (28 March 2025). "Arrest of retired Air Marshal challenged". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ a b "'Held ex-PAF officer was convicted of mutiny'". Dawn. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "Military court has convicted former air marshal, IHC told". The News International. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "ریٹائرڈ ایئر مارشل جواد سعید پر 'آپریشن سوئفٹ ریٹارٹ کی معلومات' شئیر کرنے کا الزام" [Retired Air Marshal Jawad Saeed Accused of Sharing 'Operation Swift Retort Information]. BBC News Urdu. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "'Ex-air marshal shared official info with brother'". The Express Tribune. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "PAF ex-Air Marshal Jawad Saeed imprisoned for leaking sensitive info to brother in US". Pakistan Observer. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "IHC seeks precedents to summon court-martial record from armed forces". Dawn. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "IHC seeks details of precedents in court martial cases". The Express Tribune. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "Arrest of retired Air Marshal challenged". The Express Tribune. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Former PAF Air Marshal Jawad Saeed's Court Martial". Minute Mirror. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "Three PAF officers promoted to Air Marshal rank". 3 July 2018.