ISLAMABAD: A special court declared that Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi will undergo their trial in the cipher case at Adiala jail.
Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, overseeing Khan’s trial, announced during the hearing, “Considering the security report by the Adiala Jail superintendent, the cipher trial will be held within the jail premises.”
The court specified that the upcoming hearing of the case is scheduled to take place at Adiala jail, open to attendance by interested parties, including journalists.
Additionally, the court outlined permission for five family members of the accused to attend the proceedings. Judge Zulqarnain adjourned the hearing until December 1.
Previously, the court had directed authorities to present the former prime minister and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi at Islamabad’s Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) today.
However, the Adiala jail authorities, citing “security risks” in their report, failed to produce the former prime minister today, despite the earlier orders to present him at the FJC.
The initial orders for a jail trial were issued in the first hearing of the cipher case conducted outside Adiala prison following the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision to annul the August 29 notification.
Judge Zulqarnain, citing security concerns, has been presiding over the trial in jail since Khan was indicted on the charges last month.
In August of the current year, both Khan and Qureshi were charged under the Official Secrets Act 1923 in the cipher case after the invocation of Section 5 of the said law by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Following their indictment by the special court, both leaders are currently in Adiala jail in connection with the missing cipher case.
Reportedly, the diplomatic cable went missing from Imran’s possession, allegedly containing a threat from the United States to dismantle the PTI’s government, according to the former ruling party.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
