ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan has approached the Supreme Court for post-arrest bail in the cipher case.

Mr Khan, through his counsel Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, challenged the dismissal of his bail plea by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The appeal contended that the IHC bench dismissed the bail petition, observing that since the challan has been submitted before the trial court, Mr Khan may seek acquittal from the trial court, adding that the former PM has already challenged the appointment of the judge, the status of the court, and the proceeding of the FIA related to the cipher probe.

It went on to state that the high court did not consider the aspect of the “immunity” enshrined under Article 248 to the former PM and his constitutional right to take the masses into confidence on key matters.

It requested the court to set aside the IHC’s decision and grant bail to Mr Khan.

Stay order

In a related development, an IHC bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imt­iaz extended the stay order against the cipher trial.

During the course of arguments, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan contended before the bench that the acco­untability judge, under Section 352 of the CrPC and the Lahore High Court Rules, wrote to the law ministry for conducting a jail trial of Mr Khan due to security reasons.

Justice Aurangzeb remarked that since the charges levelled against Mr Khan entail life imprisonment, therefore this matter should be dealt with utmost caution.

The attorney general said the single-member bench of the IHC, dismissing the petition of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, obse­rved the trial was open and directed the jail authorities to allow the maximum people to witness the proceedings.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

IMF scrutiny
Updated 11 Feb, 2025

IMF scrutiny

Strengthening foundations of the economic superstructure will help make the economy competitive and boost growth.
Shadow voices
11 Feb, 2025

Shadow voices

OVER the weekend, another ‘open letter’ addressed to the army chief and attributed to former prime minister ...
Paradise at a premium
11 Feb, 2025

Paradise at a premium

PAKISTAN’S recent triumph at the New York Travel and Adventure Show 2025, winning the Best Partner Pavilion Award,...
A positive note
Updated 10 Feb, 2025

A positive note

With govt unable to press growth accelerator without upending fragile recovery, sufferings of low-middle-income households are unlikely to disappear soon.
Justice for all
10 Feb, 2025

Justice for all

ALONG with his domestic agenda, Donald Trump is busy ripping to shreds the post-World War II ‘rules-based...
Held back
10 Feb, 2025

Held back

IT is a crying shame how women are conspicuously absent from Pakistan’s civil services. Despite comprising half ...