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Cipher case: Shah Mahmood Qureshi likely to be freed from Adiala jail today

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  • Special judge, Qureshi’s lawyer, Bushar Bibi reach Adiala jail.
  • On Dec 22, SC approved PTI leaders’ post-arrest bail in cipher case.
  • Post-arrest bail issued against surety bonds of Rs1 million each.

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi is likely to be released today after his bail in the cipher case was approved by the Supreme Court last week on Friday. 

In this regard, his lawyer Barrister Taimur Malik has reached the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi with his bail bonds.

Meanwhile, Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain — who is hearing the case for the special court established under the Official Secrets Act 2023 — has arrived at the jail.

Also present at the jail premises is Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, lawyers Umair Niazi and Rai Muhammad Ali.

The apex court, on December 22, approved Khan and Qureshi’s post-arrest bail in the cipher case against surety bonds of Rs1 million each. The court ruled that the discretion exercised by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in declining bail to the petitioners was exercised perversely.

After examining the material available on record, the court found that there was no sufficient incriminating material available at this stage to show that Khan communicated the information contained in the cipher telegram received from PAREP (Ambassador), Washington, USA, to the public at large with the intention or calculation, directly or indirectly, in the interest or for the benefit of a foreign power, nor the disclosed information related to any of the defence installations or affairs, nor did he disclose any secret official code to the public at large. 

The court, after converting the petitions into an appeal, allowed it and set aside the impugned orders of the IHC.

Imran and Qureshi had filed appeals in the apex court against the IHC orders, issued on Oct 27, 2023 and Nov 8, 2023, whereby the post-arrest bail had been declined to them in case, FIR No 6/2023, registered at Police Station CTW/FIA, Islamabad, for the offences punishable under Sections 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act 1923, read with Section 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) 1860. Both Imran and Qureshi are incarcerated at Adiala Jail in the cipher case.

It should be noted that the PTI founder and vice-chairman, on December 13, were indicted in the cipher case again by the special court established under the Official Secrets Act 2023 after the IHC declared their jail trial null and void.

Both politicians have pleaded not guilty to their involvement in the offence related to the alleged misuse of diplomatic cable for political purposes.

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PTI suggests resuming talks with government over judicial commission issue.

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Barrister Gohar, Chairman of the PTI, has claimed that the party’s founder has suspended negotiations, emphasizing that the government should declare the commission within seven days.

He emphasized the PTI’s openness to rethink if the government makes headway and establishes the commission.

Barrister Gohar told the reporters, “Seven days were enough to announce the commission.” We are ready to reconsider, but the government must first announce the commission.”

He stated that the PTI approached the negotiations with an open mind. “The PTI founder has halted the negotiations. “The government had eight laws on their agenda, while we only had two demands,” he stated.

The PTI chairman went on to say that even after seven days, no progress had been made in forming the commission. He encouraged the government to reconsider the decision and proceed with the announcement.

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PTI will declare February 8 to be “Black Day,” sparking protests across the country.

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According to reports, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intends to hold rallies nationwide on Wednesday in support of its decision to declare February 8, the one-year anniversary of the general elections, a black day.

According to media sources, PTI founder Imran Khan has instructed all party lawmakers—including MPAs and MNAs—to plan and take part in demonstrations in their local communities on February 8 in order to draw attention to their complaints and issues.

In a recent meeting with legal advisors on Wednesday, Imran Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the party’s Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram. The meeting emphasized the importance of party discipline and gave stern directives to abstain from any criticism of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the JUI-F.

It has also been suggested that the PTI engage opposition leaders in the demonstrations in order to win their support.

Party insiders revealed that the founder has urged leaders to ensure effective coordination and mobilised efforts in preparation for February 8.

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In 13 cases involving the D-Chowk demonstration, Bushra Bibi granted temporary release until February 7.

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Bushra Bibi, the wife of the PTI chairman, was granted temporary release by the Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in 13 counts pertaining to the November 26 D-Chowk protest. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra ordered the police to produce all pertinent documentation by February 7 and granted bail against surety bonds of Rs. 5,000 apiece.

Additionally, Bushra Bibi was given temporary release until February 7 in the Rangers’ accident case. During the hearing, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra expressed disappointment over the behavior of the defense counsel on two occasions. Addressing the lawyers, he remarked, “You demand VIP protocol everywhere, but this is not possible. Prepare your files properly before coming to court.”

Three cases at the Secretariat Police Station, two each at the Margalla, Karachi Company, and Ramna Police Stations, and one each at the Tarnol, Kohsar, Aabpara, and Khanna Police Stations are among the numerous charges against Bushra Bibi.

In addition, the judge chastised the defense team for requesting that Bushra Bibi sign and thumbprint blank documents. He said, “The accused must sign and thumbprint the court orders, not blank sheets.”

Bushra Bibi also went to the Islamabad High Court to have her biometrics verified in relation to her appeal to be exonerated in the Toshakhana-II case. On Monday, Bushra Bibi and the PTI chairman submitted their acquittal petitions. After finishing the biometric procedure, she departed right away.

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