ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), along with the party’s Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, were indicted once again in the cipher case.
The two leaders faced charges in a special court established under the Official Secrets Act 2023. Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain issued the verdict framing charges against the PTI leaders.
Both politicians have pleaded not guilty regarding their alleged involvement in misusing diplomatic cables for political purposes, an offense under scrutiny.
This marks the second indictment of the PTI leaders.
In the court proceedings, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Special Prosecutors Shah Khawar and Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi appeared, representing the prosecution, while Khan and Qureshi were represented by their respective lawyers, Usman Gul and Barrister Taimur Malik.
Following the indictment of Khan and Qureshi, the formal trial for the cipher case, focusing on the alleged leakage of state secrets on October 23, is set to commence at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.
During a previous hearing, family members of the PTI leaders were present in court, and a limited number of reporters were granted access to witness the proceedings.
In the recent hearing, PTI lawyers submitted six separate petitions concerning incomplete documents in the case, media access, and notification of the jail trial.
Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, expressed concerns about the expedited nature of the proceedings, noting that PTI had challenged two verdicts under the Official Secrets Act in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
However, the FIA prosecutor emphasized that the high court had not halted the special court’s proceedings and urged for the completion of the indictment process.
Judge Zulqarnain assured that decisions would be made impartially, based on merit, emphasizing his commitment to a fair hearing.
Previously, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had declared the jail trial null and void following challenges from Khan and Qureshi. However, the federal cabinet approved holding the jail trial again, leading to their recent indictment.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
