Cipher case: Imran moves SC against IHC verdict

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Friday requested the Supreme Court to grant him post-arrest bail in the cipher case.

He filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Islamabad High Court order, rejecting his petition seeking bail and cancellation of FIR registered against him in the cipher case.

The court had observed that prima facie, Section 5(1)(a)(wrongful communication, etc of information) of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 was applicable against him and he was not exempted from the process as a former premier.

It had also ruled that the PTI chief, in his capacity as the prime minister, was also not authorised to declassify the diplomatic cipher.

The court had noted that the cipher was in the possession of the PTI chief according to the prosecution.

On Sept 30 this year, the FIA submitted its charge sheet to the special court formed under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

The investigative agency had claimed in the charge sheet that Imran had violated the Official Secrets Act by unlawfully keeping the diplomatic cipher in his possession.

The FIA also accused PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi of facilitating Imran while also mentioning his March 27, 2022 speech at a public rally in Islamabad. A special court, constituted under the Official Secrets Act, has indicted both the party leaders.

In his appeal, Imran Khan questioned the role of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) jurisdiction in the case and its mala-fide intentions and ulterior motives.

Filed through his counsel Barrister Salman Safdar, the PTI chief questioned if the Ministry of Interior has correctly assumed the

role of complainant instead of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which actually handles cipher telegram.

He also asked if the Minister of Interior, which supervises FIA, is not his political opponent.

He prayed the apex court to determine if the IHC failed to understand that he enjoyed immunity as provided under

Article 248 of the Constitution and had not violated the oath.

He requested the apex court to grant him post-arrest bail in the case for the sake of justice and fair play. Meanwhile, the special court allowed Imran Khan to talk to his sons via WhatsApp. Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain conducted hearing of the PTI chairman’s plea seeking permission to talk to his sons. Advocate Sheraz Ahmad Ranjha had filed an application on behalf of the former prime minister.