ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court granted post-arrest bail to former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case upon submission of Rs1 million each as surety bonds.
A three-member bench led by interim Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, along with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, presided over the hearing.
On December 13, the PTI founder and vice-chairman faced indictment in the cipher case anew by a special court under the Official Secrets Act 2023, subsequent to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) annulling their previous trial in jail.
Both politicians have maintained their innocence regarding the alleged misuse of diplomatic cables for political purposes.
During today’s court proceedings, the apex court also addressed the petition challenging Khan and Qureshi’s October 23 indictment.
At the start of the hearing, Justice Masood pointed out that the challenged indictment had already been invalidated by the IHC on November 21.
Consequently, the October 23 indictments against Khan and Qureshi in the case were also rendered null and void, prompting a fresh trial.
Justice Masood clarified that the new indictment would not be impacted by the preceding proceedings declared invalid by the IHC.
In response, counsel for the former PM, Hamid Khan, argued that the trial was based on the prior charge sheet.
Justice Masood observed that the objection against the former charge sheet had become irrelevant. “If you contest the fresh indictment, address it in the high court,” the judge advised the lawyer.
Hamid requested the court to await the IHC’s decision today regarding the in-camera trial in the cipher case.
Khan’s other counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, mentioned that Hamid had amended his petitions, seeking the court to consider it as a fresh one.
Consequently, the court adjourned the hearing on the plea against indictment and proceeded with the bail petitions.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
