Cypher: Imran challenges indictment

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday challenged the special court's October 17 indictment order in the cypher case in the IHC.

The former prime minister through his counsel, Sher Afzal Marwat, has requested the court to declare the special court's October 9 order null and void.

In his plea, the former prime minister stated that the special court had asked him to receive copies of the case, but he has not done so, adding that the court was initiating the process of indictment without waiting for the IHC's ruling on his plea challenging the in-camera proceedings of the cypher case.

Two days ago, a special court established under the Official Secrets Act formally commenced the cypher case trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, setting October 17 as the date of their indictment.

Special Court Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain ordered the distribution of copies of the charge sheet among the accused, rejecting the defence’s plea for delaying the process until the reserved ruling of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on their plea against the in-prison trial was announced.

However, both Imran and Qureshi refused to receive copies of the charge sheet and sign the relevant documents. Their lawyers complained that the law and the rules were not being followed and that they would challenge the decision in the IHC.

Also, the IHC said that it would pass an appropriate order in the petition, seeking the provision of facilities, security and permission to meet family and personal doctor to chairman PTI in Adiala Jail.

The court sought comments from respondents on the appeal.

A division bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the intra-court appeal of the PTI chief seeking amendment to the verdict of the single-member bench.

At the outset of the hearing, chairman PTI's counsel Sher Afzal Murawat said that the former prime minister should be given the facilities as he deserved under the law.

The bench had not ordered to provide B-class to his client in jail. The lawyer said that Imran was not allowed to meet his personal doctor, lawyers and family members.

On the query of the bench, the lawyer said that they were also demanding permission for his client to use an exercise machine. The court said that then it would be summoning comments from the respondents to know their stance.

It said that the court would also seek implementation reports from authorities on the decision of the bench. The further hearing of the case was then adjourned.

Moreover, the IHC is also scheduled to hear the bail application of the PTI chairman who was arrested under the Official Secrets Act. The hearing will begin at 2pm.

Chief Justice Amir Farooq will hear the arguments from PTI's lawyer regarding the bail application in the cypher case. Following that, the special prosecutors from FIA will present their arguments.

During the previous hearing, Imran's counsel Barrister Salman Safdar was unable to conclude his arguments and assured to finish them in 20 minutes during the next hearing.

The PTI chief had previously approached the IHC for post-arrest bail after the special court rejected his bail application.

In addition, Imran has submitted a separate application to the IHC to avoid arrest in NAB investigation and corruption cases involving 190 million pounds.

In the petition filed by Latif Khosa Advocate, the former premier has requested a halt to the implementation of the accountability court's decision made on August 10.

He seeks an order to prevent his arrest until the final decision on the appeal. Imran has challenged the accountability court's decision to dismiss bail applications due to non-appearance.

The accountability court had earlier rejected his bail application in the Toshakhana criminal case after he failed to appear, and this rejection is being contested in the IHC.