The Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended the stay against the jail trial ofthe former prime minister in the cipher case to November 21, as reported byARY News. Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI),is presently detained in Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on judicial remand.
During a hearing conducted by the two-member bench consisting of JusticeGul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat, the court approved anextension in the stay order upon the request of Imran Khan’s lawyer, SalmanAkram Raja. This extension is effective until Tuesday, November 21.
Justice Aurangzeb questioned the special court judge’s letter advocatingfor the trial to be held in jail and sought clarification on the securityconcerns raised. The IHC judge expressed concern that the notificationsissued by the federal government for the jail trial appeared to be primafacie against high court rules.
Moreover, the judge emphasized the need for answers regarding the trial andsummoned the notification of the appointment of the special court judge.The court also requested reports regarding the security threats that formthe basis for conducting the case trial in jail.
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The cipher case, involving the former prime minister, had its firstinformation report (FIR) registered on August 15 under the Official SecretsAct, initiated on the complaint of the Home Secretary.