Cypher case: Shah Mehmood Qureshi sent on 14-day judicial remand

ISLAMABAD: A special court on Wednesday sent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)  Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi on a 14-day judicial in connection with a cypher case.

Qureshi had previously been held under a two-day physical remand by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), on charges of leaking official secret under the Official Secrets Act.

Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge, Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, who was assigned the additional responsibility of presiding over the special court, conducted the hearing.

During the proceedings, the FIA prosecutor requested an extension of Qureshi’s physical remand in order to recover a cell phone and a copy of the cypher. However, Judge Zulqarnain dismissed the appeal, expressing dissatisfaction over the repeated pleas for extension.

The judge questioned the special prosecutor about the failure to make the recovery during the initial physical remand period.

Subsequently, the court declined the special prosecutor’s appeal for further physical remand and ordered Qureshi’s placement in judicial custody for 14 days.

The court has adjourned the case until September 2.