Court to separately hear Imran’s bail in cypher case

A special court in Islamabad, formed specifically to handle cases filed under the Official Secrets Act, has decided to consider separately the bail pleas of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and party leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Asad Umar in the cipher case.

Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain reserved the verdict after the conclusion of the FIA's arguments on the prosecution's plea against Imran Khan's bail application in the cypher case.

The court issued a reserved decision after the FIA prosecution team objected to the former prime minister's bail plea, arguing that it was not admissible since Imran Khan had failed to attach a certificate containing details of his bail pleas.

The FIA submitted an application, requesting the court to declare the PTI chief's plea unfit for hearing.
The prosecution insisted that attaching the certificate was mandatory, as specified by a Supreme Court ruling.

The court ruled that the bail application of Imran Khan and the party leaders, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Asad Umar, would be heard separately.

The court adjourned the PTI chairman's bail application until September 14 and directed the petitioner's lawyers to resolve the technical objection.

Imran Khan has been in judicial custody in the cipher case and has been detained at Attock prison since his arrest on August 5, following a conviction in the Toshakhana case.

In a previous development, the special court, established to handle cases under the Official Secrets Act, granted him permission to speak with his sons.

The next hearing regarding the bail pleas of Imran Khan and the PTI leaders is scheduled for September 14.