IHC adjourns hearing on appeal against punishment of Imran Khan & Shah Mahmood Qureshi in cypher case till April 22

ISLAMABAD, April 17 (SABAH): Islamabad High Court has adjourned hearing on appeal against punishment of PTI founder Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in cypher case till April 22.

During the hearing Chief Justice Aamer Farooq inquired that why Ministry of Interior filed complaint instead of Foreign Ministry? IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb conducted hearing on the appeals. On behalf of PTI founder and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Salman Safdar, Usman Riaz Gul and others appeared before the court  while FIA prosecution team was represented by Hamid Ali Shah, Zulfiqar Naqvi, Naeem Iqbal and others.

On court’s order, advocate general Islamabad and assistant superintendent Adiala jail appeared before the court. In the courtroom a large number of relatives of the accused, party leadership and lawyers were present. Imran Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar while talking to Chief Justice said today big books are lying before you. Afterwards, from FIA prosecution team, Hamid Ali Shah while starting his arguments told the court that he will start arguments from where Salman Safdar had ended.

Chief Justice inquired from the prosecutor that did this complain register by the Ministry of Interior. Prosecution told the court that with the approval of federal cabinet, inquiry was registered in the FIA. Chief Justice asked why Interior Minister made complainant instead of Foreign Ministry as Salman Safdar has laid much emphasis on it. Prosecutor Hamid Ali Shah replied he would assist the court in this regard afterwards. Chief Justice inquired who participated in audio leaks.

Hamid Ali Shah said in the alleged audio, Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar and Azam Khan were in the audio and FIA has given report after exhibiting this audio. FIA Cyber Crime Wing brought forth report of audio tape of four persons. Audio tape was found from social media platform in which they were discussing about the cypher. In this audio, it was said that they would play on cypher.

Chie Justice remarked that Salman Safder took up the question that why Interior Ministry register the complaint instead of Foreign Ministry as cypher issue was related to Foreign Ministry. Salman Safdar argued that FIA informed that it is already doing inquiry in this regard. Prosecutor Hamid Ali Shah argued that inquiry was started after complain of Secretary Interior Yousuf Naseem Khokhar. On Oct 13, 2022 secretary interior asked for investigation into the alleged audio leaks.

In the inquiry it was found that violation of official secret act was done. Secretary Interior Aftab Akbar Durrani again complained on Sep 25, 2023. On August 15, 2023, case was registered under official secret act in the light of CTD. They were of the view accused Imran Khan was made judicial on August 16, 2023. Proceedings were started on August 16, 2023 and ended on Jan 30, 2024. In this two times the trial was remand back. Shah Mahmood Qureshi was arrested on August 19. On Oct 3 2023, challan of the case was submitted. It was charged two times one on Oct 23 and other on Dec 13.

The court remarked that high court remanded back two times during Oct 23 and Dec 13. What is number of the case? Hamid Ali Shah told the court that in the first round 17 hearings and statements of three witnesses were registered. The Ministry of Law under the rules of Lahore High Court declared the jail as court. Afterwards the court adjourned hearing of the case till April 22.