ISLAMABAD: Barrister Salman Safdar, representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has voiced concerns over the in-camera trial of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case, calling it “unconstitutional.”
He made these statements while addressing the media outside Adiala jail, where a special court was conducting proceedings related to the cipher case.
The cipher case revolves around a diplomatic document that allegedly went missing from Imran Khan’s possession, containing a threat from the United States to remove him from office. Imran Khan had been shifted to Attock jail in August 2023, following a court’s three-year prison sentence in the Toshakhana graft case. However, it was later revealed that he was on judicial remand in the cipher case.
On September 26, the judicial remand of both PTI leaders was extended until October 10, and Imran Khan was transferred to Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail as per the Islamabad High Court’s orders.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted a charge sheet in the Special Court, established under the Official Secrets Act, declaring Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi as principal accused in the cipher case on September 30.
The Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification for the jail trial of the ex-premier and former foreign minister in the cipher case, citing the request of the Special Court. However, the PTI has rejected this decision, insisting on an open court hearing.
During the recent hearing at Adiala jail, Barrister Salman Safdar and the PTI’s legal team requested an adjournment until October 9, as a relevant plea was pending before the Islamabad High Court. Consequently, the hearing was postponed, and copies of the charge sheet were not distributed to the suspects.
Safdar stressed that the trial should not be held behind closed doors, asserting that it would be unconstitutional and in violation of Article 10A (right to fair trial) of the Constitution. He suggested that in-camera proceedings could be considered for specific portions, not the entire trial.
Additionally, Imran Khan approached the Islamabad High Court against the cipher case trial being held in Adiala Jail, urging the court to restrain any future orders for his trial in the jail.
