Cipher case: special court postponed Imran,Qureshi indictment till tomorrow

A special court formed under the Official Secrets Act on Tuesday deferred the indictment of former premier Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case till tomorrow (December 13).

Official Secret Act Special Court Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the case in Adiala Jail while Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) ​​Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, PTI founder, and Shah Mehmood’s lawyers were also present in the court.

PTI supremo Imran Khan complained about not having an open trial, to which the judge remarked that the matter was an “administrative issue” and would be seen by the court. “We have given relief by going out of the way,” he added.

Imran Khan’s counsel Safdar argued that the proceedings were being conducted in a “hasty manner”, adding that the PTI had challenged two verdicts issued under the Official Secrets Act in the IHC.

The judge remarked he gave out-of-the-way relief in the cipher case. “Highlight a single point to show ‘haste’ proceedings of the case,” Judge Zulqarnain added.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the objectives of an open trial were not being fulfilled, questioning that when a decision about an open trial was there, why the media was being stopped from attending it.

The judge said he would speak to the jail administration, but the media people also talk loudly. “There is a decorum in court, which should be maintained,” he remarked.

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The family members of the PTI leaders attended today’s hearing at adyala jail. Shah Khawar and Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi represented FIA as special prosecutors while Barrister Salman Safdar appeared as Imran Khan’s counsel and Barrister Taimur Malik as Qureshi’s lawyer.

A few reporters were allowed inside the courtroom to witness the proceedings.The court fixed December 13 as the date for the indictment.