[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a directive on Wednesday, mandating a transparent trial to conclude within four weeks in the diplomat cypher case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan, former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and others.
In a written order, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq instructed the superintendent of Adiala Jail to ensure the accused’s dignity is maintained during this period. The court firmly rejected Qureshi’s plea to halt the indictment proceedings against him.
Read more : Imran Khan, PTI leader, Seeks Bail In Cypher Case From IHC
The ruling clarified that the trial within the jail premises does not imply an in-camera trial but rather an open one, with a commitment to preserving the respect and dignity of the accused.
The court directed jail authorities and the government to ensure maximum public participation while guaranteeing the security of the accused.
Emphasizing that Imran Khan, as the leader of a major political party, is undergoing a jail trial due to security concerns, the court highlighted his family’s previous expressions of security apprehensions.
The written judgment noted that conducting every hearing from jail to court may pose security risks for PTI Chairman Imran Khan. However, the proceedings cannot be deemed null and void solely based on being held in a different location unless a failure in the provision of justice is evident.
Earlier in the day, the IHC rejected a bail application in the cypher case by Qureshi. Justice Aamer Farooq, who presided over the bail plea, had previously reserved the verdict.
On Tuesday, the IHC had suspended the in-prison trial of Imran and Qureshi in the case by a special court established under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). A two-member bench summoned the complete record of the jail trial within two days, stating that allowing only a few family members to attend the hearing did not classify it as an open court hearing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
