In response to Imran Khan’s intra-court appeal in the cipher case, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruled that the jail trial of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief was invalid.
Imran Khan’s Jail Trial Verdict in Cipher Case by IHC
Judge Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz, who make up the two-member division bench, reserved the verdict earlier today. The decision was made public on Tuesday (today).
Judge Aurangzeb had previously stated during the hearing that a brief order regarding the appeal will be made public today and that a more comprehensive order would follow.
The high court postponed Imran Khan’s jail trial in the cipher case during a hearing on November 14.
The PTI chairman was indicted by Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain of the special court, and he is presently being held in Adiala jail.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s Trial
The order from the IHC was issued subsequent to the approval of Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s jail trial by the interim federal cabinet.
The deposed prime minister had previously filed an IHC against the jail trial, which the court’s single bench denied on October 16.
The deposed prime minister was removed from office in April of last year as a result of a no-confidence motion.
Previous Verdict by IHC Chief Justice
The one-member bench led by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq determined that Khan’s jail trial in the cipher case was conducted without apparent malice.
In addition, the court told him to go to the trial court if his doubts persisted.
Khan subsequently appealed the single bench’s ruling within the court.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) used Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923 to charge Khan and Qureshi in the cipher case in August of this year.
It is said that Imran lost possession of the diplomatic cable.
The cable purportedly contained a threat from the US to overthrow the PTI government, according to the former ruling party.
As a result of the special court’s indictment, Khan and Qureshi are being held in Adiala jail in connection with the cipher case.
Today’s Court Hearing
Salman Akram Raja, Khan’s attorney, began the hearing by outlining his case and arguing that a jail trial must adhere to certain formalities.
Raja informed the court that an order pertaining to a jail trial ought to be issued by the court after due consideration.
“Following [the order], the second stage involves the approval of the federal government on the chief commissioner’s request,” he stated.
He further stated that following cabinet approval, the government must notify the high court.
“The cabinet has to approve the order, however, in this case, the cabinet hadn’t given any approval before November 12,” said Salman Akram Raja.
He went on to say that the judge ought to issue a judicial order that incorporates the finding, emphasizing that no such order had been issued prior.
“This is the basic illegality in this case,” he said.
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