Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood’s Cipher trial in Adiala jail tomorrow : special court

A special court established under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) will resume the cypher trial against former premier Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tomorrow at the Adiala jail on Saturday (tomorrow).

This emerged following the issuance of a notification by the law ministry for the trial at Adiala jail.

Today, defence counsel Sikandar Zulqarnain and Qureshi’s lawyer Ali Bukhari appeared before the special court at Islamabad’s Federal Judicial Complex (FJC). Imran’s sisters also reached the FJC, including Aleema Khan who appeared before the court.

In today’s proceedings, court personnel informed Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain that no notification from the law ministry for holding the trial at Adiala jail had been received.

The judge indicated that a decision would be made upon receipt of the notification. In the absence of the notification, Judge Zulqarnain mentioned his intent to issue production orders for Imran and Qureshi to appear before the special court at the federal judicial complex islamabad (FJC).

Subsequently, the law ministry’s Nov 29 notification was presented in court, granting “sanction for conducting the proceedings and trial” at Adiala jail.

In the written order the court stated that the accused were not produced before the court at the previous hearing. The order directed Islamabad chief commissioner office and the Adiala jail superintendent for the “necessary sanctions and arrangements” for conducting a jail trial.

The counsel for Qureshi, Ali Bukhari, argued that his client be presented in court, emphasising the need for adherence to the previous hearing’s order.

It should be noted that the IHC had directed the special court to conclude the trial within four weeks, court’s further proceedings would be conducted on Dec 2 9am at Adiala jail.