ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has revoked the stay order on Thursday in the cypher case trial involving PTI’s founder, deeming all proceedings following December 14 as null and void. The appeal against the in-camera trial was heard by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.
Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan and PTI founder’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja presented arguments during Thursday’s hearing. Raja insisted that proceedings after the December 14 order to be considered incorrect and nullified.
The cypher case trial, which had been temporarily halted until January 11, took a new turn during the hearing. The special court, despite an earlier IHC’s order for an open trial, had accepted the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) plea for an in-camera trial on December 14.
Justice Aurangzeb directed AGP Awan to restart the proceedings from the date of the initial order. Awan confirmed readiness to do so, highlighting 13 witnesses were prepared to have their statements re-recorded.
Subsequently, the court declared all actions in the cypher case trial after December 14 null and void, lifting the stay order. The court emphasized a review of in-camera statements, stating that the re-recording of testimonies would be considered in the final judgment.
