The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered that Imran Khan’s bail application in the cipher case be heard in open court. This article contains the most recent information on this significant legal matter.
Earlier this week, the IHC issued its ruling on the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) request for an in-camera hearing regarding Imran Khan’s bail application in the cipher case, a matter that had been reserved earlier this week.
The IHC stated in its decision today that an open court hearing on the bail petition will take place on October 9. However, the IHC stated that lawyers’ arguments on confidential papers would be heard behind closed doors.
The FIA requested an in-camera hearing on Khan’s bail plea in the cipher case on Monday, citing concerns that an open court hearing might threaten Pakistan’s diplomatic ties with other countries if the topic is addressed publicly.
According to FIA Special Prosecutor Shah Khawar, a trial cannot be made public under the Official Secrets Act, and they will file a similar request before the trial court.
“There are some statements and information that cannot be made public,” the attorney added. He also stated that they must present statements regarding other countries to the court.
“Sharing such information in an open court can affect Pakistan’s diplomatic ties with other countries,” Khawar explained.
Salman Safdar, the PTI chairman’s lawyer, had objected to the FIA’s request for an in-camera hearing.
Last month, the PTI head applied to the IHC for post-arrest release in the cipher case.
The special court, constituted under the Official Secrets Act and hearing the case against Khan and his party’s Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, had denied Khan and the senior politician’s post-arrest bail pleas.
Both leaders are currently on judicial remand in the cipher case until October 10.
In August, the FIA charged them under the Official Secrets Act, alleging that they mishandled and tampered with a confidential document for their own political interests.
Khan and Qureshi were arrested, and a special court was constituted under the Official Secrets Act to try the accused.
