The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), advocating for an in-camera discussion about the bail plea of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the cipher case. The underlying concern was that an open discourse might strain Pakistan’s international relationships. After a brief court recess, FIA’s Special Prosecutor Shah Khawar presented the appeal.
Before adjourning, the IHC had indicated its intention to entertain the FIA’s request for a closed hearing in tandem with the primary plea from the PTI chief. The IHC’s Chief Justice stated, “Let’s hear the application for in-camera proceedings along with the main application for bail.” It’s noteworthy that the IHC had, just a week earlier, decreed that the hearing regarding the PTI leader’s bail plea would be public.
The IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq encapsulated in a written order, countering the FIA’s original plea for secrecy due to the presence of sensitive and privileged information. In response, the court directed the FIA to apply for in-camera proceedings, which they did promptly and formally.
Awaiting Verdict on Khan’s Bail Plea
As events unfold, there is mounting anticipation surrounding the IHC’s impending announcement about the PTI Chairman’s bail application spanning nine separate cases. This judgment, reserved hitherto, will be pronounced by a dual bench consisting of IHC CJ Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri.
Prior, both sessions and anti-terrorism courts had rejected Khan’s bail plea until a conclusive judgment was ascertained across these cases. Subsequently, Khan elevated the matter to the high court. In his appeals, he urged that he remain free from arrest pending a final verdict in these cases and called for a merit-based resolution. As per the documentation, the cases encompass incidents from May 9, protests in Islamabad, the Toshakhana case, infractions of Section 144, and an attempted murder charge.
