IHC clubs together PTI chief’s pleas in cipher case

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has clubbed together the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) chairman’s pleas seeking to stop the trial of the cipher case and dismiss it altogether.

Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court, Justice Aamir Farooq, heard the plea. PTI chairman’s lawyer, Latif Khosa, presented arguments, stating that the matter was currently under consideration in the high court, and the decision was pending.

He also pointed out that the Lahore High Court has issued a stay order in the case of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). He requested against taking any action in the trial court, preventing charge sheet and indictment.

Khosa emphasized, “We have repeatedly urged not to hurry, as the matter is sub judice before the high court. We have serious concerns about the Official Secrets Act. Is there a security threat, or is it a secrecy leak?”

He further mentioned that even former prime minister ZA Bhutto had spoken similarly in Raja Bazaar; however, what happened?

“My client is a national hero, who is known worldwide, and now unjustly incarcerated.

The IHC chief justice said, “Today, only miscellaneous application is filed, if you want, I can club it with the main case.”

To this, Khosa stated that they should indeed be clubbed but fix it before October 17.

Justice Aamir Farooq inquired about what would happen on October 17. In response, the PTI chairman’s lawyer stated that something significant would happen on October 17, the trial is ongoing, and indictment is going to be slapped.

The IHC chief justice replied, “I will consider it and issue an order; I will schedule the case before October 17.”

Subsequently, the court clubbed together the pleas seeking to stop the trial of the cipher case proceedings with another plea seeking the dismissal of the same case altogether.