In cipher case, Imran khan and Qureshi get bail by SC
On Friday, the Supreme Court (SC) granted post-arrest bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, both currently held at Adiala Jail, in connection with the cipher case. The SC, led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and including Justices Athar Minallah and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, directed the PTI leaders to submit surety bonds of Rs1 million each.
The cipher case revolves around a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) charge sheet claims was not returned by Imran. The PTI contends that the document contained a threat from the United States to remove Imran as prime minister. The Special Court (Official Secrets Act) had recently restarted the cipher trial at Adiala Jail after Imran and Qureshi were indicted for the second time on December 13.
The initial indictment occurred on October 23, with both pleading not guilty. However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) deemed the government’s notification for a jail trial “erroneous” and annulled the proceedings. While endorsing Imran’s indictment, the IHC instructed the special court judge to ensure a fair trial.
It will not let Imran khan free
Seeking Imran’s post-arrest bail, the PTI approached the Supreme Court last month, emphasizing the principle that bail should not be used as a form of punishment. The SC had earlier issued notices to the FIA and the federation, directing them to respond.
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It’s important to note that the bail in the cypher case does not result in Imran’s release from jail, as he remains under judicial remand in the £190 million case and is also under arrest in the Toshakhana case. The cypher case involves a piece of paper that Imran claimed to be evidence of an international conspiracy to topple his government, which he waved at a public rally last year ahead of a vote of confidence that he ultimately lost.