ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is set to hear Imran Khan’s petition challenging the orders for an in-camera trial in the cipher case on Thursday (Today).
A special court under the Official Secrets Act 2023 approved the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) request for an in-camera hearing of Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case, both of whom are detained at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.
Imran Khan has contested the special court’s decision, seeking to nullify the December 14 orders and restrain the trial court from further proceedings until a decision on the petition is made.
The petition argues that an open trial in the presence of the media and the public is crucial to meet the demands of justice.
Special court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain announced the reserved verdict on December 14, allowing family members access to the courtroom during the hearing. The bench, headed by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, will hear the petition, as per the IHC registrar’s cause list.
Imran Khan has also challenged the trial court proceedings in a separate plea submitted to the IHC. Both the former PTI chairman and vice-chairman were indicted for the second time on December 13 on charges related to the alleged misuse of diplomatic cable for political purposes.
The cipher controversy emerged in March 2022 when Imran Khan, addressing a public rally, waved a letter claiming it was a cipher from a foreign nation conspiring with his political rivals to overthrow the PTI government.
The letter’s contents were not disclosed, but later accusations were made against the United States. The case involves leaked audio leaks discussing the cipher and its alleged use for political advantage. The FIA is investigating the matter after the Lahore High Court recalled the stay order against Khan’s summons in July.
