According to the Pakistan Army Act, four types of court-martial are in place in the country.
The Pakistan Army Act of 1952 outlines four types of court-martials: General Court Martial, District Court Martial, Field General Court Martial, and Summary Court Martial.
A Field General Court Martial consists of at least three officers, and the process of the court-martial cannot be challenged in any court.
However, an appeal against the sentence awarded by the court-martial can be filed with the Chief of Army Staff and a petition can be filed in higher courts.
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A designated officer can initiate proceedings for a Field General Court Martial. According to Supreme Court lawyer Hafiz Ehsan Khokhar, once the court-martial process begins, it cannot be challenged in any court.
The legal expert further explained that the decision of the court-martial can be challenged in the High Court and the Supreme Court.
The officers conducting the court-martial must take an oath, with the Judge Advocate General acting as the prosecutor.