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Imran’s bail plea in cipher case to be heard in open court, rules IHC

Published

11 months ago

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  • FIA sought in-camera hearing amid concerns over disclosure of sensitive information.
  • Trials of accused facing secrets act violation charges cannot be made public: prosecutor.
  • PTI chief, vice-chairman moved IHC for post-arrest bail in cipher case.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday ruled that hearing on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s bail plea in cipher case registered under Official Secrets Act will take place in an open court.

The IHC announced a verdict that it reserved earlier this week on FIA’s plea seeking in-camera hearing on the PTI chief’s bail application in the cipher case.

In the verdict today, the IHC said open court hearing on the bail petition will be held on October 9. However, the IHC said arguments by lawyers on documents regarded as sensitive will be heard in-camera.

The FIA on Monday had appealed to the IHC for an in-camera hearing on Khan’s bail plea in the cipher case as it is fearful that an open court hearing could harm Pakistan’s diplomatic ties with other states if the matter is discussed publicly.

FIA Special Prosecutor Shah Khawar had told the court that under the Official Secrets Act, a trial cannot be made public, adding that they would move a similar plea in the trial court.

“There are some statements and information that cannot be made public,” said the lawyer. He added that they also have to place statements related to other countries before the court.

“Sharing such information in an open court can affect Pakistan’s diplomatic ties with other countries,” said Khawar.

The PTI chief’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, had opposed the FIA’s plea for an in-camera hearing. 

Last month, the PTI chief moved IHC seeking post-arrest bail in the cipher case.

The special court — established under the Official Secrets Act and hearing the case registered against the PTI chief and his party’s Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi — had rejected the post-arrest bail applications of Khan and the senior politician.

Both the leaders are currently on judicial remand till October 10 in the cipher case.

The FIA booked them under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly misplacing and misusing the classified document for vested political interests in August this year.

Subsequently, both leaders were arrested in connection with the investigation into the case and a special court was established under the Official Secrets Act to try the accused.

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Session of the Balochistan Assembly: The Assembly denounces recent acts of terrorism

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5 days ago

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In a resolution, the Balochistan Provincial Assembly vehemently denounced the terrorist acts on August 26.

Deputy Speaker Ghazala Gola presided over the assembly session, which took place in Quetta.

The resolution, proposed by Mir Ali Madad Jatak, vehemently denounced the despicable terrorist assaults that targeted defenseless individuals.

The Resolution required that anyone responsible for terrorist incidents face consequences from the law.

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Rana Sanaullah claims that CJP Qazi Faez Isa rejected the extension.

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6 days ago

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Neither the constitutional amendment nor the extension of the Chief Justice have the necessary number of votes. As a constitutional modification is the purview of Parliament, we ought to have done it if we had the necessary numbers.

It’s evident that CJP Qazi Faez Isa won’t take no for an answer. He said it would be acceptable to extend the age limit for everyone when he discussed this with the Attorney General and the Law Minister.

Rana Sanaullah stated that in terms of politics, they are working with Maulana Fazlur Rehman rather than supporting him.

Regarding his role in appointing the Army Chief and obtaining desired posts, Lt. Gen. (retired) Faiz Hameed has been accused. Furthermore, he is charged with utilizing PTI for these objectives. He could not have acted alone if these charges are true, according to Sanaullah; the PTI founder would have also been involved.

Continue reading: Govt promises tough action over CJP Isa smear campaign.

“WhatsApp conversations between the two on May 9th may surface after retirement, and individuals who helped them communicate may later speak out,” the statement reads.

“Former COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa never asked for an extension in our presence,” Rana Sanaullah stated in response to a query posed during the interview. It was never mentioned by Shehbaz Sharif that the former COAS had requested a delay.

In addition, he refuted reports that Ijaz Amjad, the father-in-law of Qamar Javed Bajwa, and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif met in London.

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PM meets with Interior Minister and CM Balochistan.

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2 weeks ago

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Take all necessary action to enhance Balochistan’s law and order situation, per Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive.

During his visit to Islamabad, he spoke with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

The PM received a thorough briefing on the security and general state of affairs in Balochistan from the Chief Minister of that province.

The prime minister spoke on the occasion, calling the terrorist assaults in Balochistan that occurred yesterday cowardly and unjustifiable.

By risking their lives, he claimed that our courageous Security Forces had thwarted the terrorists’ plans.

A directive to detect terrorists and take decisive action against them was also issued by the prime minister.

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