Imran Khan and Qureshi may face indictment in cipher case next week
The Special Court overseeing the cipher case involving Pakistan's former Premier Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is expected to formally indict both leaders on October 9. This development emerged during their ongoing trial while in detention on Wednesday.
Previous month, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had presented the challan, or charge sheet, to the court, designating both Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi as the principal accused in the case. The case has been registered under Sections 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, pertaining to the alleged disclosure of classified diplomatic cable contents and their subsequent misplacement.
During a session presided over by Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain at Adiala Jail, copies of the challan were distributed among the defense counsel by the prosecution.
Sources within Imran Khan's legal team disclosed that he and Mr. Qureshi briefly convened before the commencement of the court proceedings, which lasted approximately one hour.
A lawyer who witnessed the proceedings reported that when the FIA requested an in-camera trial for the case, the judge noted that the trial would commence only after formal charges had been framed against the suspects, and the proceedings would continue within the confines of Adiala Jail.
The court adjourned the proceedings to October 9, when it is anticipated that the PTI leaders will be formally indicted in the case.
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