Special court indicted Imran Khan,Shah Mahmood in cipher case

A special court decided to indict PTI supremo Imran Khan and its leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case on October 17.

What is the case all about?

The “misuse” of alleged contents of a diplomatic cipher, cited by ex-premier Imran as proof of an attempt to remove his government, in which Qureshi was foreign minister.The PTI alleges that it contained a threat from the United States to oust the party chairman from office.

Earlier

On September 30, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted a challan (charge sheet) in the Special Court established under the Official Secrets Act, declaring Imran and Qureshi as principal accused in the cipher case.

Imran moved to the IHC against his jail trial in the cipher case as well as sought suspension of the trial court’s verdict — not just sentence — in the Toshakhana case.

Today, Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain presided over the cipher case hearing at the Adiala jail, where special prosecutor Zulfikar Naqvi and the FIA’s team also appeared.

It was decided that both leaders would be indicted during the next hearing, which would be held on October 17, marking the official start of the trial.

Imran Khan protests on ‘poor’ jail conditions

Imran Khan lawyer Salman Safdar while speaking to the media said,” Imran Khan protested that he was provided with a room where it was difficult to live, it is also difficult to move or walk in the cell. He added that he felt that the PTI chief’s blood pressure was high during today’s hearing.

“The PTI chief strongly protested during the hearing in the court,” said Safdar.

Moreover, the lawyer asked that the trial of the case be conducted in an open court so the public could be aware of it. He added that it was not “right” to hold the trial in jail.

Meanwhile, the PTI chief’s other lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat disclosed that the PTI chief and his deputy Shah Mahmood Qureshi were presented in a “cage type” place for the hearing. Not even terrorists are presented in such a manner, said the lawyer.