The Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared the jail trial of PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan in the cipher case null and voidon Tuesday. The court, in a verdict announced by a division benchcomprising Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Raffat,upheld the appointment of the judge of the special court under the OfficialSecrets Act.
Additionally, the court ruled that the federal cabinet’s approval would notapply to past trials and deemed the August 29 jail trial notification asillegal.
Imran Khan, accused of leaking sensitive information and facing trial underthe Official Secrets Act in Adiala jail, had filed an intra-court appealagainst the jail trial. His counsel argued that the trial violatedfundamental rights and questioned the legality of the judge’s appointment.The counsel also challenged the validity of the federal cabinet’s approval,which was granted after the trial had already commenced.
The IHC accepted Khan’s appeal, setting aside the jail trial. The courtruled that the trial did not adhere to the principles of natural justiceand fair trial.
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It acknowledged the lawful appointment of the judge of the special courtand emphasized that the federal cabinet’s approval could not beretroactively applied to the trial. Khan’s supporters welcomed the verdictas a victory for justice and democracy.
In the context of the cipher case against Imran Khan, which accuses him ofleaking sensitive information, the legal proceedings were postponed untilNovember 21. The case revolves around a classified diplomatic cable,referred to as a cypher, sent by Pakistan’s ambassador to the UnitedStates. Allegedly, the cable revealed US pressure on Pakistan to removeImran Khan from power due to his neutrality on the Russian invasion ofUkraine.