Imran, Qureshi’s judicial remanded extended

Cipher case heard inside Attock jail; PTI seeks to withdraw IHC appeal against Imran’s disqualification

ISLAMABAD:

A special court on Wednesday extended the judicial remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the cipher case until Sept 26, ordering the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to file challan against him on the next hearing.

Special court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain heard the cipher case against Imran besides the post-arrest bail application of PTI Senior Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi and pre-arrest bail plea of former PTI general secretary Asad Umar.

The judge heard the case inside the Attock District Jjail, where the PTI chief was lodged. However, Qureshi was produced in the court at the Federal Judicial Complex after completion of his judicial remand.

The court extended the judicial remands of both the accused.

According to the court order, the judge had directed the investigation officer to submit the challan. However, the investigation officer sought more time. The court granted the request, postponing the hearing till Sept 26.

The written order stated that the court asked the PTI chairman about the behaviour of the jail authorities. Imran expressed his satisfaction.

According to the order, Imran apprised the court that he felt safe in prison and that he did not have complaints about the facilities in jail.

Also during the hearing, the PTI chairman requested the court to extend the time of his meeting with his wife.

The court directed the authorities concerned to provide better facilities to Imran as per the jail manual.
Earlier, Judge Abul Zulqarnain arrived at Attock jail to hear the case. Imran’s legal team of nine lawyers, also attended the proceedings. On the other hand, Qureshi was produced in handcuffs in the special court at the FJC.

Later, talking to the media, Qureshi declared himself “a political prisoner”. He said that he could not even think of betraying the country. The former foreign minister asked everyone to think of Pakistan beyond one’s personal ego.

Imran was lodged in Attock jail last month to serve three-year imprisonment in the Toshakhan case. Though, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended the imprisonment, but the PTI chief was arrested in the cipher case.

On Wednesday, the IHC reserved its ruling on the request for withdrawal of its petition, challenging the PTI chairman’s disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The PTI chairman’s legal team said that the matter had already been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

At the outset of the hearing, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq sought arguments on the PTI’s petition. However, Imran’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar apprised the court that he would not argue on the petition because he wanted to withdraw it.

Zafar said that the PTI had challenged the ECP’s notice for removing Imran as the party chairman in the LHC. Therefore, they had the choice as to where they wanted to proceed with the case.

He added that a five-judge larger bench had been formed in the LHC, therefore, they wanted to withdraw the appeal from the IHC.

The ECP director general law opposed the PTI’s request, saying that all the proceedings related to the Toshakhana case took place in the jurisdiction of Islamabad and the ECP office and its lawyers were present in the federal capital.

The court directed the ECP to submit written arguments on the matter but reserved the ruling on the miscellaneous application for withdrawal of the PTI’s appeal.