Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has reached out to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking post-arrest bail in the ongoing cipher case.
Khan is currently incarcerated at Attock jail after being denied bail by a special court dedicated to cases filed under the Official Secrets Act.
The cipher case centers around a diplomatic document allegedly missing from Imran Khan’s possession. PTI claims the document contained a threat from the United States aimed at removing Imran from power.
Imran Khan filed the bail petition through his lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, naming the State and Interior Ministry Secretary Yousuf Naseem Khokar as respondents.
The petition appeals to the IHC to grant Imran Khan post-arrest bail until the final disposition of the cipher case, arguing it is necessary “to meet the ends of justice.”
The plea highlights that nearly 200 criminal cases have been filed against Khan, including charges of corruption, murder, sedition, mutiny, foreign funding, and references to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Toshakhana.
The petition contends that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) operated under the influence of the then interior ministry and questioned why the case wasn’t registered by the foreign ministry. It also noted that past court rulings have condemned straightaway arrests and argued that the Official Secrets Act was originally intended for the armed forces’ accountability.
Imran Khan’s plea emphasizes that neither section 5 (wrongful communication of information) nor section 9 (attempts, incitements, etc.) of the Official Secrets Act applies to the cipher case. It further states that the actions of the respondents demonstrate “clear mala fide, hostility, and vindictive motives” against Khan.
The petition assures that Imran Khan is willing to provide reasonable surety to satisfy the court and promises not to abscond or tamper with prosecution witnesses. It also highlights Khan’s contributions to cricket and philanthropy and asserts that his growing popularity became a threat to established political forces, leading to political victimization.
The IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq has accepted the petition and scheduled a hearing for Monday.
