ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court dismissed PTI chief Imran Khan’s petition challenging the indictment in the cipher case while the special court has summoned witnesses today in this case.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC presided over the hearing, which centered on objections to the special court’s decision made on October 23.
Imran Khan’s attorney, Salman Safdar, represented him in court.
Meanwhile, the Special Court today summoned witnesses in the cipher case and the hearing will resume in Adiala Jail on Friday.
Earlier this week, a special court, operating under the Official Secrets Act, formally charged former PM Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in connection with the cipher case.
The case revolves around a classified cable transmitted to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington early last year, which Khan is accused of publicly disclosing.
A conviction under the Official Secrets Act carries the potential for a sentence of up to 14 years in prison or even the death penalty, in accordance with legal experts and the law.
On Thursday, the court rejected the petition but directed that PTI chairman Imran Khan be granted the right to a transparent trial.
In response to the court’s decision, Naeem Haider Panjutha, Spokesman for Imran Khan on Legal Affairs, posted on X, stating, “The petition to halt the trial has been rejected! Now, the trial will proceed in jail on Friday, and witnesses have been summoned to testify.”
PM Kakar says the govt did not impose a ban on PTI rallies
Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said that there was no ban on rallies of PTI.
This statement comes in response to the former ruling party’s allegations of arrests of several leaders in various districts for holding rallies last week.
In an interview with a TV channel, Kakar stated, “I will gather information about the specific ban on a rally that resulted in a raid. If there was no significant provocation before May 9, there would be no grounds for such action. Our policy does not involve discouraging any political party.”
Last week, the Lahore police conducted a raid on PTI offices situated in a private housing society on Ferozepur Road. Police apprehended several party workers just before a party convention, as claimed by the former ruling party.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the former ruling party, particularly since May 9, he emphasized that the people did not vote for former PM Imran Khan to be in conflict with state institutions. He added, “The future of PTI will be contingent on the outcome of legal proceedings.”
In response to a query, he also stated that his government would contest the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the trial of civilians in military courts.
