Connect with us

Politics

PTI chief’s immediate release unlikely despite suspension of Toshakhana sentence

Published

on

  • Ex-PM in judicial remand in cipher case till August 30.
  • PTI chief due to be presented in special court in cipher case.
  • IHC orders Khan’s release from Attock jail on bail.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday secured a major legal victory as the sentence awarded to him in the Toshakhana case was suspended; however, the former premier is likely to remain incarcerated despite release orders.

Earlier today, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the three-year sentence awarded by a local court and ordered Khan’s release but he will remain imprisoned at Attock jail as he was arrested by authorities in the  cipher case, registered under Official Secrets Act, while he serving sentence in Toshakhana case.    

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officially arrested the former prime minister — who was ousted from office after a no-confidence motion in April last year — under the Official Secrets Act 1923 during his imprisonment in Attock jail in the Toshakhana case.

The counter-terrorism wing of the FIA had registered an FIR in the case against Khan after for misplacing and misusing the classified document for political purposes. 

During the trial of the case, the judge of a special court formed under the Official Secrets Act has remanded Khan into judicial custody in jail till August 30. 

The court has also directed the superintendent of Attock jail to keep the ex-PM in the judicial lockup and present him upon completion of the remand period.

Therefore he cannot be immediately released from jail.

The case

On March 27, 2022, ahead of the vote of no-confidence that resulted in his ouster, former premier Imran had pulled out a piece of paper – allegedly the cipher – from his pocket and waved it in a public gathering in Islamabad, claiming it was the evidence of an “international conspiracy” being hatched to topple his government.

However, during the interrogation with the joint investigation team (JIT) in the jail on August 26, Khan denied that the paper he waved at a public gathering last year was the cipher.

He also admitted to losing the cipher, saying he couldn’t recall where he kept it.

The cipher case against the former premier became serious after his principal secretary Azam Khan stated before a magistrate as well as the FIA that the former PM had used the US cipher for his ‘political gains’ and to avert a vote of no-confidence against him.

The former bureaucrat, in his confession, said when he provided the ex-premier with the cipher, he was “euphoric” and termed the language a “US blunder”. The former prime minister, according to Azam, then said that the cable could be used for “creating a narrative against establishment and opposition”.

Azam said the US cipher was used in political gatherings by the PTI chairman, despite his advice to avoid such acts. He mentioned that the former prime minister also told him that the cipher could be used to divert the public’s attention towards “foreign involvement” in the opposition’s no-confidence motion.

Latest News

On Friday, PTI calls for nationwide protests.

Published

on

By

PTI called for a nationwide walkout on Friday (tomorrow) in opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment package, citing its founder Imran Khan’s incarceration as unfair treatment, and demanding access to the jailed leader for attorneys, PTI leaders, and supporters.

Within a meeting, the PTI’s leaders resolved to stage a nationwide protest, the party claimed in a statement released on Wednesday.

In both houses of the parliament, every effort was decided to be made to obstruct the path of modification, according to the statement.

As well as advocate Intizar Hussain Panjotha, Azam Swati, and all other jailed leaders, activists, and members of parliament—including the president of Tehreek-e-Insaf Balochistan—the party’s political committee demanded their release. Aleema and Uzma Khanum are the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan.

The PTI requested that following Friday prayers, regional organizations stage a nonviolent demonstration at district headquarters.

It argued that the constitutional change is an unacceptable attempt by the administration to distort the Constitution.

In a statement, it was stated that Imran Khan’s release was sought and that both chambers of parliament had decided to do all within their power to obstruct the amendment.

Continue Reading

Latest News

The National Assembly is expected to assemble on October 18 to approve proposed constitutional modifications.

Published

on

By

It is anticipated that the National Assembly will meet on October 18 or 19 to ratify the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.

The National Assembly Secretariat has reportedly been instructed to get ready for the important gathering, according to sources.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has expressed strong opposition to the proposal, which seeks to overhaul the judiciary. The government coalition is pushing through its legislative agenda in spite of this opposition.

In the 342-member National Assembly, the constitutional modification bill needs 224 votes, or a two-thirds majority, to be approved. But with only 215 members, the ruling coalition is now not strong enough to form a majority.

111 members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), 70 members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), 22 members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), five members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), and smaller numbers from other affiliated parties like the National Party, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and the Pakistan Muslim League-Zia make up the breakdown.

Political analysts speculate that the recent verdict by the Supreme Court on Article 63-A, which permits the votes of dissident members, may be crucial in obtaining the necessary majority given the size of the ruling coalition.

To get their support for the amendment, the administration might try to influence PTI-aligned lawmakers.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has become a crucial player in this political equation. The backing of his party may be essential to guaranteeing the bill’s passing.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced yesterday that the constitutional amendment draft has been agreed upon. In an effort to strengthen his party’s position, he is scheduled to meet with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif tomorrow and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari today.

Continue Reading

Latest News

C’MAN PPP Addresses Ceremony In Karachi: Following The Impact Of Climate Change, The Agriculture Sector Needs To Be Regulated

Published

on

By

Amid the consequences of climate change, the agriculture industry need regulation, according to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

According to Bilawal Bhutto, agriculture is the backbone of the nation, as she stated during a ceremony in Karachi.

He claimed that during his first tenure in office, President Asif Ali Zardari moved historic measures to ensure the prosperity of farmers in the nation and supported small-scale farming.

According to Bilawal, the rights of the nation’s farmers and laborers have always been upheld by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

He emphasized that the Pakistan People’s Party has consistently supported the rights of the poor and that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto made courageous choices to defend the rights of farmers.

Continue Reading

Trending