Father still not freed despite bail, says Qureshi’s daughter

RAWALPINDI: Meher Bano, daughter of former foreign minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, on Saturday expressed strong concerns over the ongoing cipher case, saying the developments in the case trial had raised various questions about its fairness.

Talking to the media outside the Adiala Jail here, she expressed astonishment at the revelation that the cipher case was being heard within the confines of the jail. She alleged irregularities and a lack of transparency in the legal proceedings in the cipher case.

She said her father Shah Mehmood Qureshi was not released from jail on Saturday despite bail granted to him by the Supreme Court.

“We did not know the cipher case was to be heard in jail on Saturday. It suddenly came to light,” she remarked.

Highlighting the confusion surrounding the trial, she recounted the conflicting statements made by the judge. “The judge first said that there is no open trial, then he said the trial was open. If there was an open trial, then all the media people should have been inside the courtroom,” she added.

According to her, the trial had commenced even before their arrival, and witnesses’ statements were being recorded in the absence of the accused. “What is happening in the cipher case has nothing to do with a fair trial,” she stressed. Earlier, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had approved the bail of PTI founder Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

However, Qureshi’s release was hindered due to non-completion of necessary legal proceedings. With a public holiday scheduled on Dec 25, Qureshi is expected to remain in jail for an additional two days.