IHC issues written order to halt PTI chairman’s jail trial in cipher case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a written order to halt the jail trial of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the cipher case.

Justices Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb and Thaman Rifat Imtiaz, presiding over the case, released the written order, asserting that the prison trial cannot be classified as an open trial.

The written order stated that there is no documentation of the fulfillment of pre-conditions for the jail trial presented on record.

The court directed that if any such document exists, it must be produced at the next hearing, emphasizing the need for transparency in legal proceedings.

The Attorney General of Pakistan informed the court that the Federal Cabinet had granted approval for the jail trial of chairman PTI, however, the court noted in the written order that the AGP failed to produce a copy of the Cabinet’s decision or even submit the summary upon which the decision was based.

Highlighting the necessity of essential documents for a fair decision, the court stressed that it needs to assess the legal point affecting the fundamental rights of the appellant based on the provided documents.

As a result, the court issued a stay on the trial of the cipher case until the next hearing.