PTI lawyers have arrived at the courtroom of Judge Raja Jawad Abbas,seeking bail for PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice-Chairman Shah MehmoodQureshi in connection with the cipher case. This development comes as thespecial court judge responsible for cases registered under the OfficialSecrets Act has taken a week-long leave.
Salman Safdar and Babar Awan, representing PTI, made an appearance beforeJudge Abbas on Monday, urging him to consider their bail applications forImran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi due to the absence of the special courtjudge. However, Judge Abbas explained that while he could handleanti-terrorism court cases as a duty judge, he lacked the authority to hearcases related to the Official Secrets Act. He suggested that the PTIlawyers should file an application with the high court, which, if approved,would grant him the jurisdiction to entertain their bail pleas.
Judge Abbas clarified that he presided over administrative matters for 24courts but stressed that the Official Secrets Act court was not within hispurview. He emphasized that only the high court possessed the authority todesignate him to oversee Official Secrets Act cases. Faced with thissituation, PTI lawyers pleaded with the judge for assistance.
In response, Judge Abbas presented two options to the PTI lawyers: theycould either approach the high court for a resolution or wait untilSeptember 9, when Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain would returnto his duties. The situation escalated when PTI lawyer Salman Safdarrequested a written statement from Judge Abbas confirming his lack ofauthority to hear their bail applications, a document they would use toseek the high court’s intervention. Nevertheless, the prosecution teamopposed this request.
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In summary, PTI lawyers sought bail for Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshiin the cipher case due to the special court judge’s absence, but Judge RajaJawad Abbas clarified that he lacked the jurisdiction to hear such cases.This prompted the PTI lawyers to consider alternative avenues forresolution, including approaching the high court or waiting for the specialcourt judge’s return. The legal proceedings remain complex, with theprosecution team contesting the PTI lawyers’ requests
