IHC reserves verdict on Qureshi’s bail plea in cypher case

PTI vice chairman’s lawyer argues his client acted responsibly during March 27, 2022 rally

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved its verdict against the bail application of former foreign minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the diplomatic cypher case, Express News reported.

IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq heard Qureshi’s bail petition. During the hearing, Qureshi's lawyer, Syed Ali Bukhari, argued that his client did not use the word "cypher" during the March 27, 2022 rally, nor did he make any specific comments about the content of the diplomatic cable.

He maintained that his client only fulfiled his duty under the rules of business and acted responsibly. He argued that the allegations levelled against Qureshi carry a maximum sentence of only two years and it is a bailable offence.

Read more: Three testify against Imran, Qureshi

However, the prosecutor for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) stated that during the March 27 rally, Qureshi's speech preceded that of the PTI chairman, Imran Khan, alleging that he incited the former prime minister.

The FIA prosecutor emphasised that Qureshi did not deny his speech or its content. He said that there has been no instance in any country where a public officeholder himself disclosed the content of a diplomatic cypher.

He said that Qureshi's speech and its content indicate that he was aware of the sensitivity of the matter and deliberately used provocative language to incite the people by using terms like national pride and honour.

Read also: IHC favours cypher trial in jail

The prosecutor urged the court to deny the bail. Subsequently, the court reserved the verdict.

On Sept 30 this year, the FIA submitted its charge sheet in the cypher case to the special court formed to hear the case at Adiala Jail where Imran Khan is incarcerated, claiming that the former prime minister had violated the Official Secrets Act by unlawfully keeping a diplomatic cypher in his possession.

The agency also accused Shah Mahmood Qureshi of facilitating Imran Khan while also mentioning his March 27, 2022 speech at a public rally in Islamabad.

Khan had waved a piece of paper at the rally, claiming it to be a diplomatic cypher that was evidence of an "international conspiracy" to topple his government.