Cipher Case Trial
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has intervened in the ongoing cipher case trial involving Imran Khan, issuing a stay order against the jail trial until November 16.
A two-member bench, consisting of Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Raffat, delivered this decision during a hearing at Adiala Jail on Tuesday. Imran Khan’s legal representation was provided by Salman Akram Raja, while Deputy Attorney General Arshad Kiani represented the government.
The bench expressed reservations about the special court’s constitution and the jail trial, emphasizing that allowing a select few family members into the proceedings did not meet the criteria for an open-court hearing.
Justice Aurangzeb raised concerns about notifications issued by the federal government for the jail trial, suggesting prima facie violations of high court rules and posing numerous unanswered questions about the trial.
The judge also highlighted that, although the IHC’s chief justice had been consulted, the special court’s establishment occurred through an executive order. The attorney general informed the court that the federal cabinet had recently approved the jail trial in the cipher case, with the notification set to be presented in court.
Justice Aurangzeb questioned the timing of the federal cabinet’s approval, expressing skepticism about the status of the trial that had already commenced and seeking clarification on the circumstances under which the decision for a jail trial was made.
In conclusion, the Islamabad High Court’s stay order on Imran Khan’s cipher case trial prompts critical scrutiny, raising questions about due process and the circumstances surrounding the decision for a jail trial.
