ISLAMABAD -UNS: A special court on Tuesday extended PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s judicial remand in the cipher case until October 10.
The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document which reportedly went missing from Imran’s possession. The PTI alleges that it contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran from power.
Following the suspension of the PTI chairman’s three-year jail term in the Toshakhana case, it emerged that he had been in judicial remand in the cipher case.
As per the law ministry’s notification, Imran’s special court proceedings are being held in the Attock jail “due to security reasons”.
Imran’s judicial remand was initially extended till September 13 and then again till September 26, along with Qureshi’s. Both leaders’ bail pleas were rejected by the special court earlier this month. Subsequently, Imran has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking post-arrest bail.
A day ago, the IHC had ordered that the former premier be transferred to the Adiala jail. However, he remains in the Attock jail mainly due to two reasons — security concerns and the absence of a written order.
Today, Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain presided over the in-camera hearing, which took place at Attock jail. Prior to the hearing, elaborate security arrangements were made outside the jail.
The law ministry had yesterday issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the hearing to be held at the Attock jail. A copy of the NOC was also sent to the jail superintendent.
During the hearing, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) team was present as well as Imran’s lawyers Salman Safdar and Umair Niazi. Naeem Haider Panjotha and Latif Khosa, who are also the PTI chief’s counsels, also reached the jail to attend the hearing.
Subsequently, the judicial remand of the ex-premier was extended till October 10. The court also ordered the FIA to submit a challan soon of the case.
On the matter of Imran’s transfer to the Adiala jail, Khosa told Dawn.com that the PTI chief had informed the court he did not wish to be moved there as he had “now adjusted to Attock jail”. He further said he would ask his lawyers to withdraw the plea for the same, Khosa added.
Meanwhile, Qureshi was presented before the special court at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) in Islamabad, where his attendance was marked by court officials. He was brought to the court handcuffed.
