Cipher case: IHC sought special court judge’s appointment notification, report on Imran’s security concerns

The Islamabad High Court on Monday sought the notification regarding the appointment of Official Secrets Act judge and a report on PTI Chairman Imran Khan security concerns.

The IHC judges Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb and Justice Thaman Rifat Imtiaz today initiated a hearing on an intra-court appeal challenging the jail trial of PTI chairman in the cipher case.

The court raised questions regarding the validity of the notification issued by the Law Ministry for the jail trial.

Salman Akram Raja, representing the PTI Chairman, argued against the application of Section 9 for jail trial, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to the law.

He questioned the correctness of the Law Ministry’s October 29 notification, citing confusion over its purpose.

The court explored the issue of security threats raised for the PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

The Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan acknowledged that while a report on security threats wasn’t presented to the trial court judge, the information was publicly known.

Raja contended that the jail trial was an attempt to exclude family and the public, calling it unethical. He urged the annulment of the entire earlier trial.

The court summoned the Registrar of Islamabad High Court to address two critical questions: the origin of the Official Secrets Act court judge appointment and whether the trial judge informed the High Court before the jail trial.

Highlighting serious law violations from August to November, Raja argued that the cabinet’s approval couldn’t retroactively apply to actions already taken.

Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb cautioned against seeking a significant declaration from the court, expressing the complexity of the matter.

The court extended the stay order on the jail trial until the next hearing scheduled for tomorrow.