ISLAMABAD: On December 12, both former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi are set to face indictment in a case filed under the Official Secrets Act.
They’re accused of disclosing classified information from a cipher dispatched by the Pakistani embassy in Washington.
The trial for the Cipher case resumed at Adiala jail with Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain overseeing the open court hearing.
Attending were family members, lawyers of the PTI leaders, special prosecutor Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi, Rizwan Abbasi, and a limited group of media representatives.
During the hearing, upon the lawyers’ request, copies of the case records were provided to Imran and Qureshi.
The judge adjourned the session till December 12, announcing that charges would be framed against the PTI leaders on that day. This information was confirmed by the permitted media attendees.
In a previous hearing at Adiala Jail, Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain oversaw discussions on the diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency claims was not returned by Imran Khan after receiving it. Khan faces accusations of disclosing the document’s contents to the public.
Present in court were counsels of Imran Khan, Prosecutor Shah Khawar, Advocate Zulgarnain Abbas Naqvi, Special Prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi, and the FIA’s legal team.
Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain noted issues with production orders and promised a subsequent date.
Emphasizing the importance of transparent justice, the judge stated that not only would justice be served, but it would also be apparent.
Referring to an Islamabad High Court directive from November 28, the judge affirmed that the Cipher case trial would continue at Adiala Jail and must conclude within four weeks as directed by the High Court.
