On Thursday, Islamabad’s special court granted the pre-arrest bail plea submitted by former federal minister, Asad Umar, in connection with the ongoing cipher case.
Shah Khawar, the attorney representing the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), communicated to the court that, as of now, no evidence implicating Umar has been discovered. Furthermore, Umar hasn’t been mentioned in the FIR (First Information Report). Khawar noted that if future investigations unearth evidence against Umar, who previously served as the general secretary for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the authorities will take appropriate action.
Presiding over the hearing, Judge Abul Hasanat Zulfiqar, who is appointed to adjudicate cases under the Official Secrets Act, sanctioned Umar’s bail, setting the surety bond at Rs50,000.
It is pertinent to mention that other prominent figures are embroiled in this case, including the deposed prime minister and PTI leader, Imran Khan, and the former foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
In a recent development on Wednesday, the special court decreed an extension to the judicial remand of both Khan and Qureshi until September 26, 2023. The court instructed the FIA to present the case challan during the upcoming hearing.
Read: September Showdown: Imran Khan’s Judicial Journey Intensifies on 26th
