A special court announced on Tuesday that it would continue to hold cipher case hearings for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Adiala Jail.
In a verdict, Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, overseeing Khan’s trial, revealed that the decision was based on a security report submitted by the superintendent of Adiala Jail.
The court specified that the next hearing for the case is scheduled to take place at Adiala Jail, allowing attendance by interested parties, including journalists.
Additionally, the court granted permission for five family members of the suspect to attend the proceedings. The hearing has been adjourned until December 1.
This development follows last week’s court order to present the former prime minister and Vice Chairman Qureshi at Islamabad’s Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) today.
However, Adiala Jail authorities cited “security risks” in their report, failing to produce the former prime minister despite the initial orders to present him at the FJC.
The special court had initially conducted the cipher case trial outside Adiala Prison, prompted by the Islamabad High Court’s decision to nullify the August 29 notification for a jail trial.
Judge Zulqarnain cited security concerns for conducting the trial in jail since Khan’s indictment on the charges last month.
Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were booked under the Official Secrets Act 1923 in the cipher case in August. The charges stem from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) invoking Section 5 of the law. Both leaders have been indicted in the missing cipher case and are currently held in Adiala Jail.
The missing diplomatic cable, reportedly from Imran’s possession, is said to contain a threat from the United States to topple the PTI government, according to the former ruling party.
During today’s hearing, the Adiala Jail authorities submitted a report citing serious security risks for not presenting Imran Khan. The superintendent mentioned seeking additional security from Islamabad police.
Imran Khan’s lawyer, Shah Safdar, raised objections over the security report, alleging a violation of IHC orders and questioning the non-appearance of Qureshi in court.
The court reserved its order on the jail report, with Judge Zulqarnain emphasizing the importance of public and media access to the court.
The defense lawyers urged the superintendent to present Imran Khan in court, emphasizing the absence of formal charges against him. The judge stated he would issue an “appropriate order” on the matter.
