The Supreme Court on Friday approved the post-arrest bail of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, both of whom have been incarcerated at Adiala Jail in connection with the cipher case. The three-member bench, headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justices Athar Minallah and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, directed the PTI leaders to submit surety bonds worth Rs1 million each.
The cipher case revolves around a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) alleges was never returned by Imran Khan. The PTI contends that the document contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran as the Prime Minister. The Special Court (Official Secrets Act) had recently restarted the cipher trial at Adiala Jail after the Islamabad High Court scrapped the previous proceedings, citing an erroneous government notification.
During the hearing, Imran’s counsel argued that the special court had recorded statements hastily, emphasizing the right to a speedy trial for the accused. The court also issued notices to the FIA and the government on Qureshi’s bail plea, and discussions revolved around the alleged misuse of the cipher, its public mention, and the charges against the accused.
The PTI lawyer asserted that Imran Khan was being politically victimized and raised questions about the initiation of the cipher case investigation after an audio leak. The court delved into the sensitive nature of the cipher, its handling by the foreign ministry, and the alleged violations of rules in the trial.
The decision to grant post-arrest bail comes amid a complex legal battle, with arguments focusing on the authenticity of charges, the handling of sensitive information, and the alleged political motivations behind the case. The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to have significant implications on the ongoing legal proceedings related to the cipher case.
