The Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended the stay against the jail trial of the former prime minister in the cipher case to November 21, as reported by ARY 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 Justice Gul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat, the court approved an extension in the stay order upon the request of Imran Khan's lawyer, Salman Akram Raja. This extension is effective until Tuesday, November 21.
Justice Aurangzeb questioned the special court judge's letter advocating for the trial to be held in jail and sought clarification on the security concerns raised. The IHC judge expressed concern that the notifications issued by the federal government for the jail trial appeared to be prima facie against high court rules.
Moreover, the judge emphasized the need for answers regarding the trial and summoned the notification of the appointment of the special court judge. The court also requested reports regarding the security threats that form the basis for conducting the case trial in jail.
The cipher case, involving the former prime minister, had its first information report (FIR) registered on August 15 under the Official Secrets Act, initiated on the complaint of the Home Secretary.