Trial of Imran, Qureshi in Cipher case to be held in-camera

ISLAMABAD: The special court on Thursday granted approval for an in-camera hearing request regarding the bail application of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a cipher case.

Special court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain issued a secure verdict related to the in-camera trial and sanctioned the prosecution’s plea for an in-camera hearing under section 14-A.

The court’s decision allows family members to have access to the courtroom during the next in-camera hearing of the cipher case. However, the special court has adjourned the case hearing until the following day.

The First Information Report (FIR) was filed on August 15 under the Official Secrets Act, based on the complaint of the Home Secretary.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi were named in the report, along with former Principal Secretary Azam Khan and former Planning Minister Asad Umar.

According to the report, action is expected against Azam Khan and Asad Umar, as authorities concluded their involvement in the misuse of classified documents.

The FIR alleges that the former prime minister and foreign minister distorted the facts of the diplomatic cipher, launching a conspiracy to misuse its contents for nefarious purposes.

It further claims that the former premier and top diplomat jeopardized state interests, accusing the former prime minister of deliberately holding a copy of the diplomatic cipher sent to the PM office.