IHC nullifies in-camera trial in cipher case since Dec 14

In a legal victory for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday set aside the orders of an in-camera trial of former party chairman Imran Khan and Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in cipher case, declaring all proceedings after December 14, 2023, invalid.

A special court established under the Official Secrets Act 2023 on December 14 decided to hold in-camera proceedings of the high-profile case at Adiala jail while allowing the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) plea, following the two politicians’ indictment.

However, Khan appealed his indictment, proceedings and gag order in the IHC, which later issued a stay on his in-camera trial in the cipher case till January 11, 2024, citing “legal errors” in the case.

Earlier today, as it reached its expiry, a single bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb revoked the stay order and nullified all the special court’s proceedings after December 14.

The development came after the Attorney General for Pakistan assured the witnesses’ statements would be recorded afresh.