The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a stay on proceedings in the cypher case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-Federal Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
The trial, initially scheduled for cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, was postponed by a divisional bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz. The hearing on Imran’s intra-court appeal against the in-prison trial has been adjourned to November 16.
The court has called for the suspension of proceedings while rejecting the plea by the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) against this suspension. During the hearing, Justice Miangul Hassan pointed out discrepancies in the trial process, noting that limited family attendance does not equate to an open court trial.
The court also summoned all trial records and questioned the reasons behind conducting it in prison, highlighting that the anti-terrorism court judges involved were appointed through executive processes.
The Cypher Case Background and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The cypher case revolves around a diplomatic cable allegedly lost from Imran Khan’s possession, which the PTI claims contained threats from the United States. Imran Khan was ousted from office in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote. Both Khan and Qureshi are currently held in Adiala jail, where the trial was conducted. In the last hearing, the special court allowed five family members of each accused to attend the proceedings.
The case has seen the indictment of the accused, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has listed 28 prosecution witnesses, with statements from three witnesses recorded so far. The IHC’s decision to halt the proceedings reflects the trial’s complexities and the need for judicial scrutiny.
