The Pakistan Army has initiated court martial proceedings against former ISI chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed, in compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court. He has been taken into custody by the military. But the question now arises whether the ex-spymaster can appeal against this action.

Anchorperson Piracha, who hosts Rubaroo on Aaj News, explained that as per the Military Act under which this trial is being conducted, the first appeal goes to the army chief.

“The chief of army staff still has the pending appeal of Kulbhushan Jadhav, which means there is no time limit for the army chief to decide on the appeal,” he said.

According to the anchorperson, if the army chief does not grant a pardon or reduce the sentence, then higher courts are available. “If the courts also do not provide relief, then the president, under Article 45 of the Constitution, has the authority to reduce or pardon any sentence,” he said.

But Piracha clarified that it was not the case of an ordinary soldier and they do not yet know what specific charges under the Military Act have been levied against Hameed.

In a shocking development on Monday, the military’s media wing said that Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed has been taken into military custody and the process of field general court martial has been initiated against him about the Top City housing scheme scandal.

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“Appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against the former spymaster under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act,” the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.

According to the ISPR, the action was taken following the Supreme Court orders into the case.