Defence analyst Brig (retd) Babar Allauddin has said that the process of field general court martial initiated against former Inter-Services Intelligence director general Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed was not unusual as such inquiries and actions have been done in the past as well.

“It is not unusual as such inquiries and court martials have been done in the past under the army’s self-accountability system,” he said on Monday.

The defence analyst had joined Aaj News live streaming on the military’s decision to take Hameed into military custody and start the court-martial process against him.

Hameed was appointed the ISI director general on June 16, 2019, when former prime minister Imran Khan’s government was in power. He had replaced the incumbent Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir as the ISI chief. Gen Munir was given charge of Commander Gujranwala Corps.

“We know that it is said that the army’s self-accountability always continues and does not stop despite any government being in power, Brig (retd) Allauddin said and added that the army was a “disciplined institution” and has a “very effective accountability process”.

He was of the view that it would be inappropriate to take it “out of the context”.

The accused has complete right to defend and present his case, the defence analyst said and added that if someone is convicted then they can challenge the decision in higher courts.

“No decision in the army is taken in haste,” Brig (retd) Allauddin said.

“The context which I want to say is that these proceedings should not be seen out of proportion,” he said.

When asked, he said that the military has standing courts and the court martial was normal proceedings in the army. “Like I said the court martial formation and inquiry is usually being done. This is a military court and is headed by military officers. An accused can have a lawyer and defend their case.”

Brigadier (retd) Hars Nawaz stated that the military’s accountability system is very strict and it was due to the accountability system that discipline was maintained in the military.

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Major (retd) Maisam Raza said that the accountability process is the same for everyone whatever crime is committed in the military.

“This action is a clear message for everyone – the Pakistan Army is taking action against a former senior officer and digital terrorism can also be dealt with,” Brigadier (retd) Masood said.

Major (retd) General Tariq Rashid said that the prosecution case would be proven in the court martial. Faiz Hamid would be given full opportunity for defence and decisions in the military cases were made within weeks.