The Islamabad High Court has decided that the hearing of PTI Chairman ImranKhan’s bail plea in the cipher case will be held in an open court. However,when discussing “sensitive information,” the proceedings will be in-camera.
This decision came after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) requestedin-camera proceedings but was denied. The cipher case involves a missingdiplomatic document from Imran’s possession, which the PTI claims containeda threat from the United States to remove him from office.
Imran had been on judicial remand in this case after being sentenced tothree years in prison in the Toshakhana graft case. On September 26, bothPTI leaders’ judicial remand was extended, and Imran was moved toRawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
On September 30, the FIA submitted a charge sheet, declaring Imran andQureshi as principal accused in the cipher case. The FIA had expressedconcerns about an open hearing affecting international relations. TheMinistry of Law and Justice issued a notification for the jail trial inresponse to a request from the Special Court.
However, the PTI rejected this and insisted on an open court trial. Today,the IHC Chief Justice ruled that Imran’s bail plea would be heard in anopen court but would become in-camera when sensitive information ordocuments are involved.
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PTI lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar criticized the in-camera trial asunconstitutional and demanded transparency and an open hearing, citingArticle 10A of the Constitution. The hearing at Adiala jail was adjourneduntil October 9 due to pending matters before the Islamabad High Court.Safdar argued against keeping the entire trial behind closed doors andsuggested limited in-camera proceedings only when deemed necessary by thejudge.
Imran Khan reportedly barred his lawyer from making any deals during theirbrief meeting, mentioning Donald Lu’s name. Imran’s legal team alsorequested a pause in the trial proceedings pending a verdict on thenotification allowing the special court to be moved to the jail.
