RAWALPINDI: Brigadier (retd) Ali Khan, facing charges of attempting to overthrow the government in a court martial trial, boycotted the court proceedings on Monday, protesting against the refusal of military authorities to allow his lawyer to meet him.
While talking to The Express Tribune, Advocate Colonel (retd) Inam-ur-Raheem, representing Brig Ali, asserted that his client did not attend proceedings because military authorities had not allowed him to see the ‘counsel of his choice.’
“On Sunday, Brig (retd) Ali asked me have a meeting with him. However, the authorities refused this demand,” said Inam.
“I was later informed that Lieutenant Colonel Khizar Hayat, hailing from General Headquarters’ (GHQ) legal branch, had been appointed as the defending officer for the accused,” he added.
Under military laws, an accused is provided a defending officer only if he cannot afford a lawyer or he assents to have a serving officer defending him in the court.
Lamenting the indifferent attitude of the concerned military authorities, Inam pointed out that he himself had been allowed to see the accused earlier only after the Lahore High Court (LHC) had directed to do so.
Inam went on to add that Brig Ali had also urged the court to grant him permission to see the federal government‘s directives which pertained to his retirement.
The accused continues to maintain that he cannot be tried under military laws since he has already retired from the armed forces.
On May 5, the military authorities detained Brig Ali, accused to have links with the banned Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT).
COMMENTS (9)
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@Pakistan politics: Everyone is lying that is saying everything is lie against him. Gee, so easy to make vapid arguments!
They are so afraid of what he might say. Cheap tactics being used against him.
Sincere People in the armed forces should take a stance against the corrupt leadership and help Brig Ali. Liberation is only in Islam, and implementing Islam all the levels just like Abu-Bakr, Omer, Usman, and Ali (RA). This is the only solution for all our problems that we face today as a Muslim Ummah.
Why JAG branch keep on changing their position on this case, it seems the case against Brig Ali is pretty weak.
We love Brig Ali. Wish he was COAS
Why he is not tried by rule of land in Supreme court so that he finds loop-holes and escapes like Haqqani
Such fanatic generals have already destroyed Pakistan. Still there are some in agencies supporting banned groups and using talebans. They must also be held. Moreover there are some who are slaves of US, they must also be held in same fashion.
Pakistan needs its own policy in its own interests, not in in the interests of some individuals.
The truth about Ali will come out now!
Everything is lie against him,
What's wrong with the military? Can't they do anything right?