FIA’s challan in cipher case ‘devoid of substance’

LAHORE ':

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has unequivocally rejected the charges presented by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the cipher case, terming the submitted challan “devoid of substance”.

A party spokesperson lambasted the charges levelled against former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, asserting that the allegations were as hollow as the purported cipher case itself.

Emphasising the pivotal point that the original cipher document remained at the Foreign Office, the spokesperson reinforced the claim that the accusations against the former prime minister held no merit.

The cipher document was declassified by the federal cabinet, wielding its inherent powers, effectively rendering the Official Secrets Act inapplicable and leading to the case's natural demise, the spokesperson underlined.

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Imran had consistently called for an impartial investigation into the cipher case, even resorting to written appeals addressed to the chief justice of Pakistan and the president of the country, he said, adding that however, progress on that front remained elusive.

Highlighting a series of perceived injustices, the spokesperson pointed out the clandestine nature of the trial within the prison walls and the seemingly unjustifiable delays in the court proceedings were a matter of great concern.

“Any verdict stemming from an unlawful trial of a baseless case will lack legitimacy and not be accepted by the nation,” he maintained.

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In the pursuit of justice, he reiterated, the PTI advocated for the establishment of an independent and equitable judicial commission to investigate the cipher case, with the aim of unveiling the truth before the nation.

Earlier, the PTI Core Committee formally requested the chief justice of Pakistan to expedite the hearing of petitions related to the scheduling of general elections in the country.

Stressing the importance of adhering to the constitutional requirement, the party and the Supreme Court Bar Association jointly filed a plea in the Supreme Court for holding elections within the stipulated 90-day period following the dissolution of the National Assembly.

To address the pressing matter, the committee also held a meeting. The foremost concern of the members was the urgency to ensure the timely conduct of general elections in accordance with the constitutional mandate.

The committee asserted that the conduct of elections within 90 days post the National Assembly's dissolution was a fundamental constitutional imperative.

It also underscored the pivotal role of the Supreme Court in ensuring the faithful implementation of the Constitution and its provisions.

It also raised concerns about the traditions that undermined the Constitution, characterising them as potentially detrimental to the nation's stability and existence.

"The tradition of belittling the Constitution can prove to be very destructive for the existence and stability of the state," the Core Committee cautioned, urging the Supreme Court to take immediate steps to abolish such practices.

The committee's concerns also extended to the caretaker prime minister's international travels utilising official resources.

This practice was vehemently condemned, particularly in light of the nation grappling with serious economic difficulties and a severe shortage of resources.

"While the caretaker government's primary responsibility lies in the smooth functioning of day-to-day affairs and assisting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in conducting free, fair, and impartial elections, the current trend of foreign travel and inflammatory rhetoric by the caretaker prime minister is exacerbating an already serious situation," the Core Committee lamented.

The committee called upon the caretaker PM to exercise restraint and responsibility in his international engagements, ensuring that he remained within the confines of his constitutional mandate and avoided wasteful expenditure of national resources.

The Core Committee urged transparency regarding the expenses incurred on the caretaker premier's entertainment from the national exchequer, emphasising the importance of fiscal accountability to the nation.