In-Camera Hearing
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has submitted an application to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) requesting an in-camera hearing for PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s bail application in the cipher case.
The IHC has scheduled the hearing of the FIA’s miscellaneous application for tomorrow (Monday), with IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presiding.
This development follows the FIA’s declaration of former Prime Minister and ex-Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi as the principal accused in the cipher case. The agency filed a charge sheet in the Special Court under the Official Secrets Act on Saturday.
The FIA did not include former Planning Minister Asad Umar in the list of accused individuals, but they made former Principal Secretary Azam Khan a witness and attached his statement to the charge sheet.
According to the charge sheet, Khan allegedly violated the Official Secrets Act by retaining the cipher. Although a copy of the cipher was delivered to Khan, it was never returned.
Earlier this month, the court received information from the superintendent of Attock Jail that Khan could not communicate with his sons via telephone due to prison rules.
Report Reveals Eight-Year High in Security Forces Casualties in Anti-Terrorism Operations
Moreover, the fight against terrorism in 2023 has seen a significant toll on security forces, reaching an eight-year high with close to 386 personnel losing their lives. The casualties include 137 army personnel and 208 police officers, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) report for Q3 2023, out of 1,087 violence-related fatalities recorded during the year, the outlaws accounted for 368 (34%), while civilians suffered 333 (31%) fatalities.
