Asad Umar’s pre-arrest bail extended in leaked cipher case

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Asad Umar secured extension in his pre-arrest bail until September 14, on Tuesday. He appeared in special court, accompanied by his counsel Babar Awan with regards to the ‘leaked cipher’ case. Justice Abu Al-Hasanat Zul-Qarnain presided over the hearing.

On August 22, Umar appeared before a special court in Islamabad, established to handle cases arising from complaints filed under the Official Secrets Act. In his bid to avoid immediate arrest, he secured a pre-arrest bail, initially granted until August 29 (today), by submitting surety bonds amounting to Rs100,000.

The case centers around the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) ongoing investigation into what has been described as the “disappearance” of a diplomatic cipher. Another leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mahmood Qureshi is also under FIA’s custody in connection with this case, enacted under the Official Secrets Act.

In today’s appearance, Asad Umar said in the hearing that PTA Chairman has given a detailed answer regarding the disappearance of the cipher, and the FIA has also been informed of the details of the cipher. “A classified document does not leave the Ministry of External Affairs”, he said.

Both Umar and Qureshi are confronting allegations of compromising national security and the state’s interests through the direct disclosure of classified information, conducted without the requisite authorization.

See also: Shah Mehmood Qureshi remand extended for two days