{"id":17801,"date":"2023-10-25T12:06:18","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T12:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/imran-moves-ihc-against-indictment-in-cypher-case-the-express-tribune-2\/"},"modified":"2023-10-25T12:06:18","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T12:06:18","slug":"imran-moves-ihc-against-indictment-in-cypher-case-the-express-tribune-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/imran-moves-ihc-against-indictment-in-cypher-case-the-express-tribune-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Imran moves IHC against indictment in cypher case | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nISLAMABAD:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief\u00a0Imran Khan challenged his\u00a0indictment in the cypher case on Wednesday in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).<\/p>\n

Represented by his lawyers Salman Safdar and Khalid Yusuf, the PTI chief sought to annul the process of indictment citing concerns about the haste with which it was carried out.<\/p>\n

The petition named plaintiff Yusuf Naseem Khokhar and the state as parties. It contended that, as per the law, charges can only be framed seven days after the distribution of the case copy \u2013 a requirement seemingly overlooked by the trial court.<\/p>\n

Imran\u00a0also pointed out the absence of a directive from the IHC to expedite the trial or to conduct daily proceedings, and argued that rushing the trial could infringe upon his fundamental constitutional rights.<\/p>\n

The ex-prime minister further highlighted that the lack of central evidence, particularly related to the cypher telegraphs had been overlooked.<\/p>\n

Read\u00a0<\/strong>Imran\u2019s indictment \u2018death knell to legal system\u2019: PTI<\/a><\/p>\n

The PTI\u00a0chief prayed that the IHC set aside and annul the\u00a0order<\/a>\u00a0rejecting\u00a0Imran’s plea seeking deferment in the process.<\/p>\n

Two days ago, Imran and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi pleaded ‘not guilty’<\/a> as the two PTI\u00a0leaders were indicted in the cypher case.<\/p>\n

During the hearing, prosecutor Shah Khawar termed Imran’s plea seeking deferment in the indictment process a “delaying tactic” and requested the court to reject it, stating that today’s hearing was fixed only for indictment.<\/p>\n

Presiding over the hearing, Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain of the special court summoned government officials listed as witnesses in the case for October 27.<\/p>\n

“This is a false, fabricated case, designed to exact political revenge. Will prove my innocence,” the PTI chief had reportedly said as he denied the charges.<\/p>\n

\u2018Imran feels safe inside jail\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Separately, earlier in the day, Special Court judge Abul Hasnaat Zulqarnain –\u00a0presiding over the cypher case – told\u00a0Imran’s\u00a0spokesperson for legal affairs\u00a0Naeem Panjotha that the PTI chief had himself “told\u00a0me\u00a0that he considers himself safe in jail”.<\/p>\n

Judge Zulqarnain further remarked that the proceedings were being smoothly conducted at the prison with a primary focus on ensuring the PTI chief\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n

The judge’s remarks came as Panjotha\u00a0appeared before his court seeking implementation of his orders from Adial jail officials\u00a0where the former prime minister is currently incarcerated.<\/p>\n

Panjotha raised concerns about certain court orders not being implemented, particularly regarding lawyers being granted access to the PTI\u00a0chairman in jail.<\/p>\n

Judge Zulqarnain\u00a0stated\u00a0that there were administrative matters to consider. He noted that certain matters will need to be carefully managed if multiple\u00a0lawyers have to meet Imran.<\/p>\n

To this, Panjotha argued that the superintendent of Adiala jail will only follow your orders. Raising further concerns regarding the case, the spokesperson stated that\u00a0the case was being conducted so secretively that even journalists were not being allowed to cover the proceedings.\u00a0\u201cIf journalists are not allowed to attend the hearing\u00a0at least lawyers should be allowed to attend them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

However, the judge observed that the cypher case was filed under the 1923 Secret Act, and that if it was upto him he would not have an objection\u00a0to journalists covering the case.<\/p>\n

Regarding the complaint about physical space constraints in\u00a0the Adiala jail courtroom, the judge remarked at Imran’s legal aide that he already had a wall of the ex-premier’s jail cell demolished, asking him if he would rather\u00a0have the PTI chief’s entire room demolished?<\/p>\n

Panjotha\u00a0pointed out that the caretaker government was making excuses to avoid presenting Imran\u00a0at the\u00a0judicial complex<\/p>\n

Read more <\/strong>LHC puts Imran’s bail pleas off day’s cause list<\/a><\/p>\n

He said that the former premier had not been provided security despite the SSP expressing concerns regarding his\u00a0life being under\u00a0threat, comparing that\u00a0to the security provided to the recently-returned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz\u00a0(PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif.<\/p>\n

In response, the judge highlighted the significance of protecting a\u00a0former prime minister\u2019s life. Judge Zulqarnain further\u00a0maintained that he had personally held a one-hour long meeting with Imran where the latter explicitly told him that he feels safe in prison.<\/p>\n

The judge stated that the case proceedings were ongoing in a satisfactory manner, inquiring of Panjotha if there were any concerns related\u00a0to other directions or instructions regarding the PTI chairman.<\/p>\n

The legal aide informed the judge that their cases were currently pending in the IHC. To this, the judge clarified that he was referring to meeting-related requests.<\/p>\n

Judge Zulqarnain later issued instructions to the jail superintendent to ensure lawyers’ easy access to Imran in future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n