Cipher case jail trial: IHC reserves verdict until 5 p.m. today

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its decision, on Tuesday, regarding the intra-court appeal filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman challenging the jail trial in the cipher case.

The verdict on the PTI chief’s appeal is slated to be announced today at 5:30 pm, according to a statement by IHC judge Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb.

A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, presided over the hearing on Imran Khan’s appeal against his detention trial.

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During today’s proceedings, PTI’s legal representative, Salman Akram Raja, expressed reservations about the transparency and legality of the cipher case proceedings. He highlighted that access to the hearing was restricted solely to the accused and their legal counsel.

In yesterday’s hearing, the IHC had sought a notification regarding the appointment of the judge under the Official Secrets Act and a report addressing the security concerns of the incarcerated former premier.

Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan acknowledged that although a report on security threats had not been presented to the trial court judge, the information was publicly known.

Raja argued that the jail trial appeared to be an effort to exclude family members and the public, labeling it as unethical. He strongly advocated for the annulment of the entire preceding trial.

In response to the raised concerns, the court summoned the IHC Registrar to provide clarity on two pivotal questions: the process of appointing the Official Secrets Act court judge and whether the trial judge had informed the High Court before initiating the jail trial.

The court will announce the verdict at 5:30 pm today.

Meanwhile, the hearing of cipher case against PTI chairman and vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been adjourned till November 23.