IHC reserves verdict on Chairman PTI plea against jail trial in cipher case

The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday reserved its decision on the intra-court appeal of PTI Chairman Imran Khan against the jail trial in the cipher case.

The decision on the appeal of chairman PTI will be pronounced today at 5:30 pm, IHC judge Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb stated.

A two-judge bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz heard Imran Khan’s appeal against his jail trial.

In todays hearing, PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja raised significant concerns about the transparency and legality of the proceedings in the cipher case.

He noted that access to the hearing was restricted to only the accused and their lawyers.

Raja highlighted a letter from the trial judge, dated November 8, expressing the need for approval of a prison trial to prevent future complications.

Questioning the judge’s motivation behind writing such a letter, Raja suggested the possibility that the judge recognized shortcomings in the proceedings.

He revealed that the Home Ministry sent the letter to the Law Ministry, resulting in an immediate summary being prepared.

Despite cabinet approval, Raja argued that the jail trial notification lacks applicability to past events.

Furthermore, Raja emphasized that the judge’s letter didn’t seek approval for past jail trials, making it unclear how the cabinet could approve something not formally requested.

He expressed doubt about the adequacy of the November 13 notification, contending that cabinet approval without a judicial order does not meet legal requirements.

As the lawyer concluded his arguments, he asserted that all proceedings in the jail trial for the cipher case so far are illegal.

Raja urged that if a jail trial is to occur in the future, it should be accompanied by a judicial order and cabinet approval.

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

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.