IHC halts Imran Khan’s trial in Cipher case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued on Thursday a stay order on trial in the cipher case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) former chairman Imran Khan.

Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb took up Imran’s petition against the in-camera trial in the cipher case. Earlier, the court rejected PTI’s request seeking a stay order on Imran in-camera trial in the cipher case.

Imran contested his de novo trial in jail as well as the events that followed, including as the press gag order and the structuring of the charges, in his petition.

Following the notices, the IHC bench postponed the case’s hearing until today, December 28, in order to allow for additional procedures.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi sent to jail on 14-day judicial remand

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was sent on a 14-day judicial remand to jail after being arrested a day ago. He was earlier brought to the court of Duty Magistrate Syed Jahangir Ali in an armored police van. It should be noted that a case was registered against Imran and the PTI Vice under Sections 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. It is related to the “misuse” of alleged contents of a diplomatic cipher, cited by ex-premier Imran as proof of the attempt to remove his government. During the hearing, the prosecutor sought a

Earlier during the hearing of the case, Justice Aurangzeb rejected  PTI chief’s plea to grant a stay on the trial, stating that the court would first serve notices before issuing an order.

In this regard, the IHC issued notice to the federation and asked Khan’s lawyer Usman Gul to submit all necessary documents related to the cipher trial at the next hearing.

Imran and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi have been twice indicted in the case. Both have pleaded not guilty.