Own Umpires
ISLAMABAD: The Special Court established under the Official Secrets Act recorded statements from three prosecution witnesses in the cipher case on Tuesday. Simultaneously, the Islamabad High Court heard arguments concerning the legitimacy of the judge’s appointment and jail trial of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and party leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
A PTI lawyer quoted the incarcerated former prime minister as stating that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his preferred umpires and is seeking their assistance again.
Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain presided over the proceedings in the cipher case at Adiala Jail, recording statements from three witnesses and summoning another three witnesses for November 10.
Meanwhile, an IHC division bench, composed of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, resumed the hearing of an intra-court appeal filed by Mr. Khan challenging the appointment of Judge Zulqarnain as the presiding officer of the Special Court, as well as the trial proceedings in Adiala Jail.
Salman Akram Raja, Mr. Khan’s counsel, raised concerns about the trial being conducted in a small room within the jail premises, where no more than five persons can stand.
Justice Aurangzeb acknowledged the issue and requested the counsel to articulate objections to the single-judge bench decision.
Mr. Raja argued that the bench did not adequately consider crucial facts, emphasizing that the jail trial was not authorized in accordance with the law. He contended that the presiding judge had made up his mind for the jail trial without a thorough examination of the facts.
The counsel also pointed out that the law ministry had issued a no-objection certificate for the jail trial following the judge’s request for a single-day hearing. However, both Mr. Khan and Mr. Qureshi were being tried in the jail without any reference, raising questions about how the jail trial order was processed through the chief commissioner.
Nawaz Sharif’s ‘Own Umpires’ Remark Sparks Controversy and Raises Questions
Imran Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Umair Niazi, informed the media outside Adiala Jail that the PTI chief criticized PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
He also expressed Mr. Khan’s rejection of civilian trials in military courts. Mr. Khan was quoted as saying that Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his own umpires and is once again seeking their support.
All political parties, except the PML-N, advocate for a level playing field. Mr. Khan expressed concern about the recent surge in terrorism in the country, attributing it to a “weak” Afghan policy, particularly criticizing Mr. Bhutto-Zardari, who, during his tenure as foreign minister, did not visit Kabul to address the issue of terrorism.
