In a significant development, a special court dedicated to handling cases related to the Official Secrets Act has been established in Islamabad. The task of presiding over the Official Secrets Act court has been entrusted to Judge Abual Hasnat, who is currently serving as an anti-terrorism court judge.
The Official Secrets Act court will primarily focus on cases that fall under the purview of the Official Secrets Act, a legislation designed to safeguard classified information and maintain national security. The cases will be heard in-camera, in accordance with the law’s provisions.
One of the prominent cases being heard by the newly established court involves Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Qureshi was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday and has been produced before Judge Abual Hasnat for his involvement in a cipher case registered against him under the Official Secrets Act.
The establishment of this specialized court coincides with a broader discussion surrounding the enactment of the Official Secrets Act. This piece of legislation received approval from President Arif Alvi just a few days prior to the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 7.
Among those facing charges under the Official Secrets Act are both PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi. They are accused of utilizing diplomatic cipher information for political advantages. The First Information Report (FIR) filed against them asserts that they disclosed classified document contents to unauthorized individuals and manipulated facts with the intention of achieving personal gains at the expense of state security interests.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s arrest on August 19 has brought this matter to the forefront, while the case against Imran Khan was registered by the Federal Investigation Agency on August 15, citing Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act of 1923.
The establishment of the Official Secrets Act court underscores the commitment to upholding national security and ensuring the responsible handling of classified information. As these cases proceed through the legal system, they are expected to shed light on the intricacies of the Official Secrets Act and its implications for individuals and national security.
