ISLAMABAD: On Saturday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) established a special division bench to consider the appeals of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi against their convictions in the cipher and Toshakhana cases.
The IHC division bench will hear the appeals on Monday, consisting of Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.
Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi are challenging their 10-year sentences in the cipher case, highlighting objectionable and secretive arrest and remand proceedings on August 16, 2023. The appeal contends that the prosecution did not share complete records with the trial court, and the judge hastily indicted the former premier and foreign minister.
The appeal refers to previous instances where the IHC division bench annulled trial court proceedings due to glaring illegalities, but the trial allegedly proceeded without adhering to mandatory procedural requirements.
The appeal argues that Imran Khan and his legal counsel cooperated with the trial court, and the defense did not unnecessarily prolong proceedings. However, it alleges that the judge did not ensure a fair trial, conducting proceedings at an unusually rapid pace, and concluding the trial in less than 20 days.
In the cipher case, the appeal claims that the trial was moved to a secret room and concluded swiftly. It raises concerns about objections Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi raised regarding state counsels appointed without their consent and the trial court’s refusal to wait for their lead counsel during cross-examination.
The appeals also extend to the Toshakhana case, where Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each and fined Rs1.54 billion. The hearing is anticipated to address both alleged irregularities and procedural lapses.
