Daily Times

The special court judge presiding over the cypher case trial against former premier Imran Khan stated on Tuesday that the proceedings shall continue in Adiala jail in an open court setting.

The decision stemmed from the Adiala jail authorities’ inability to comply with the court’s directive to present the former premier at Islamabad’s Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) due to “serious security risks.”

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had earlier ordered the cypher case trial, involving Imran and his then-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to be conducted at the FJC. The IHC declared the proceedings of the PTI chairman’s trial conducted in jail so far as null and void.

The cypher case pertains to a document waved by Imran, then the prime minister, at a public rally in March last year, terming it evidence of a foreign conspiracy behind the no-confidence motion he faced at that time. The motion was carried a few weeks later and Imran’s government ended.

During the hearing today, the jail authorities presented their report to Judge Zulqarnain, who meticulously reviewed its contents. Intelligence agencies and the police, as indicated in the report, raised concerns about life threats faced by the PTI chairman, emphasizing the gravity of the security risks.

Following a brief deliberation, the special court issued its order, endorsing the continuation of the trial within Adiala jail but stipulating that it would transpire in an open court. Citing reservations expressed by the jail authorities and security agencies about the FJC, the court declared that the subsequent hearing, scheduled for December 1 (Friday), would convene at Adiala Jail as an open court proceeding.

Anticipating potential security challenges, a meeting involving the police, administration, and relevant departments was convened on Monday to devise a comprehensive security plan for Imran’s appearance.

The special court also said that attendees, including journalists, would be permitted to witness the proceedings. Additionally, it extended permission for five family members of each accused to be present inside the courtroom.

The trial, initially underway at Adiala Jail, had seen the testimonies of four witnesses, with the fifth undergoing cross-examination. However, following the IHC decision, the special court is now poised to initiate a fresh trial, necessitating the prosecution to submit a new application for the resumption of the trial within the jail premises.

In the recent proceedings, held at the FJC, Barrister Salman Safdar represented Imran, while Advocate Ali Bukhari stood as Qureshi’s legal counsel. Prosecutors Shah Khawar and Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) also appeared before the court.