IHC issues notice to FIA on PTI Chairman’s bail plea

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court issued a notice to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday regarding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman’s petition seeking post-arrest bail in the cipher case.

The court’s notice came during the hearing of Khan’s bail petition challenging the special court’s decision in the said case last week. The PTI chairman filed the plea on Saturday, and it was scheduled for today’s hearing.

The special court, established under the Official Secrets Act, had previously rejected the post-arrest bail pleas of Khan and his party’s Vice Chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in the case of the missing cipher.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued the notice in response to the plea filed by lawyer Salman Safdar on behalf of the PTI chief.

The PTI chief’s legal team repeatedly urged for an early hearing of the case. In response, the IHC chief justice emphasized that there is a proper procedure in place, and it will be scheduled accordingly.

Cipher Case: PTI chairman moves IHC for pre arrest bail

The FIA has been directed to submit its response to the PTI chief’s petition.

Khan and Qureshi are on judicial remand in the cipher case until September 26.

IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq issued a notice to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and requested a response. The PTI chief’s lawyers have requested an early hearing of the petition.

The chief justice stated that the procedure is established, and it will be scheduled for the next Monday.

Special Court hearing on WhatsApp phone call with sons

Meanwhile, the Official Secrets Act special court in Islamabad heard the case of Khan’s WhatsApp phone call with his sons. The court also considered the contempt of court petition against the Attock Jail superintendent.

The PTI chairman’s lawyer, Shiraz Ahmad Ranjha, argued that the jail manual was incorrectly interpreted since there was no restriction under the Official Secrets Act on a prisoner speaking over the phone.

According to the Punjab Jail Rules, a convicted criminal cannot be allowed to speak to someone over the phone. However, the PTI chief is not a convict; he is under trial.

Ranjha contended that prisoners under trial are being allowed to speak to their families for three years. He asked why Khan was not allowed to talk to his sons over the phone if there was no legal restriction. The lawyer once again requested a meeting with the court. The court sought an explanation from the Attock jail superintendent and adjourned the hearing of the case until September 28.