Imran Khan, the Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, had his judicial remand extended until September 13 in the cipher case. A special court, which was recently established to handle cases related to the Official Secrets Act, made this decision. The court had directed the Attock District Jail, where Imran is currently held, to keep him in judicial lockup and present him in connection with the cipher case.
The cipher case involves a missing diplomatic document that was reportedly in Imran’s possession. The PTI alleges that the document contained a threat from the United States, aiming to remove Imran from power. Proceedings against Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the PTI vice chairman and former foreign minister, are also ongoing in the same case.
The trial of the cipher case was held in the deputy superintendent’s office at Attock jail. Imran’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, stated that the case against the PTI chief under the Secrets Act is baseless and that a bail petition will be filed. He also claimed that political cases are being made against Imran.
Imran’s legal team was initially barred from entering the jail but was later allowed to attend the hearing. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the PTI’s legal team were present during the hearing, and Imran marked his attendance today. The special court will hear the bail plea on Saturday.
Barrister Salman Safdar revealed that Imran’s stance on the cipher case is that the original cipher was with former interior minister Rana Sanaullah, and the FIA has admitted that the original document is with the Foreign Office. He also mentioned that the cipher was declassified by the previous government during a cabinet meeting, making it no longer an official secret.
The PTI chairman’s lawyer expressed concern over prosecuting a former premier and a former foreign minister under the Secrets Act, as these proceedings are typically reserved for the armed forces in matters such as spying and mapping. He deemed it highly condemnable and concerning.
The special court also issued notices to the FIA on two other petitions, one challenging the trial of Imran in the cipher case and the second requesting an open hearing of the case.
Overall, the PTI chairman’s judicial remand has been extended in the cipher case, and the bail plea will be heard on Saturday. Imran’s legal team maintains that the case against him is baseless and politically motivated.