ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) indicated on Friday that it will announce its reserved verdict on former premier Imran Khan’s miscellaneous pleas against the appointment of the judge holding the trial for the cypher case and the state’s decision to hold proceedings inside Adiala jail within two to three days.
Lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat appeared before IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on behalf of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson.
The lawyer informed the court that the trial for the cypher case has commenced in prison and the next hearing is slated for October 9 (Monday) but the decision on the PTI chief’s plea against it is yet to be announced.
Justice Farooq remarked that he would expedite his decision as requested by the petitioner. Not by Monday but within two to three days, he said.
It has been reported that you have raised objections at being shifted to Adiala jail, he added, directing his remarks at the petitioner’s counsel. But it was you who petitioned to be shifted to Adiala jail from Attock jail, observed Justice Farooq, asking Imran’s lawyer to clarify this contradiction.
The PTI chairperson’s request for transfer was approved, remarked the judge. Why then has this debate been initiated in the press by you, asked Justice Farooq.
To this, the counsel replied that no such official statement has been made before the press on behalf of the PTI chief.
Justice Farooq remarked that he was surprised at reading such reports by the media.
Lawyer Marwat said that the defence had expected B-Class facilities for the former premier in Adiala jail but they were not given.
At this, the IHC CJ said that Barrister Latif Khosa – a senior member of Imran’s legal team – filed a petition in this regard yesterday (Thursday). The court will issue notices in this regard, added Justice Farooq.
The PTI chairperson was arrested for the second time this year on August 5, after a district and sessions court convicted him in the Toshakhana case.
The three-year prison term awarded to Imran was suspended later by the IHC but it emerged that he had been sent on judicial remand in the cypher case, which pertains to a diplomatic cable from the United States that allegedly went missing from the former premier’s possession.
The PTI has claimed that the cypher contained a threat from the US calling for Imran’s ouster from the Prime Minister Office.
Yesterday (Thursday), Imran approached the IHC appealing to the higher court to annul the verdict issued by the trial court in the Toshakhana case as well as the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notification disqualifying him from contesting in the upcoming general elections.
Imran remains incarcerated in Adiala jail and has over 150 criminal cases pending against him.
