Imran Khan challenges cipher case, its proceedings in IHC

ISLAMABAD: Imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Tuesday contested his indictment in the cipher case and challenged the entire proceedings conducted by the special court under the Official Secrets Act in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The special court had indicted the former prime minister on December 12 in the diplomatic cable case, following his removal from power through a no-confidence vote last year.

In his recent petition, the PTI leader asserted that the trial court, in deciding the matter, failed to consider the true perspective of facts and law, rendering the proceedings since November 23, 2023, illegitimate and not maintainable.

He appealed to the court to declare the December 12 order of the special court null and void, stating that it should be set aside for the proper dispensation of justice.

Imran Khan urged the court to suspend the operation of the December 12 order and proceedings before the trial court in the interest of justice until a decision on the fresh petition is made.

Describing his trial as “illegal and unlawful,” Khan requested the high court to discharge him from the case. The Islamabad High Court, with Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb presiding, is scheduled to hear the petition on December 20.

The Ciphergate case originated on March 27, 2022, when Khan, shortly before his ouster in April 2022, claimed in a public rally that a cipher from a foreign nation had conspired with his political rivals to overthrow the PTI government.

He accused the United States of conspiring against him but did not disclose the letter’s contents. Later, the National Security Committee took up the matter, and the federal cabinet initiated action against Khan, handing over the case to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

In July, the Lahore High Court recalled the stay order against the FIA’s call-up notice to Khan.