ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday nullified the August 29 notification to hold the jail trial of Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan in the cipher case.

Earlier in the day, the IHC had reserved its judgment on Imran Khan’s intra-court appeal against facing a trial in jail in the cipher case. The IHC issued a brief verdict, with a detailed one expected to follow.

It is noteworthy that while the IHC had suspended Imran Khan’s sentencing in the Toshakhana case on August 29, a special court under the Official Secrets Act had directed jail officials to keep Imran in “judicial lockup” in connection with the cipher case.

Imran Khan is currently incarcerated in Adiala jail, following his indictment by the special court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain in the cipher case.

A two-member bench, consisting of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, is set to announce the decision later today.

The previous day, the bench summoned the notification regarding the appointment of a judge for the special court handling the cipher case, along with reports on security threats to the PTI chairman. After issuing these directives, the bench adjourned the proceedings until Tuesday, extending the stay orders in the matter.

On November 14, the IHC had issued a stay order against the jail trial of the former premier, putting a halt to the proceedings in the cipher case until November 16.

Imran Khan had approached the IHC after the caretaker federal cabinet approved his jail trial in the case. However, the IHC rejected his appeal, stating that the jail trial was deemed “in favor” of the former premier, considering security-related concerns. The court observed no apparent ill will regarding the matter of the jail trial.

Providing background on the cipher case, it involves charges against Imran Khan and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi under Sections 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. The case revolves around the alleged “misuse” of diplomatic cipher contents, cited by Imran Khan as evidence of an attempt to oust his government. Last month, the special court indicted both Imran and Qureshi in the cipher case.