The open trial of the ousted Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi restarted on Monday at Adiala Jail in the Cipher case.
Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain presided over the open court hearing. Khan, the former PTI chief, faces charges of leaking state secrets, particularly a cipher between Washington and Islamabad, which he allegedly connected to his removal from the premiership.
During the last week’s hearing at Adiala Jail, prosecutor Shah Khawar, Advocate Zulgarnain Abbas Naqvi, Special Prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi, and the FIA’s legal team were present. However, Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain noted an issue with Khan’s production order, necessitating the setting of the next date for proceedings. He emphasized the importance of justice not only being executed but also visibly upheld.
Previously, the government had issued a directive for Khan’s trial inside Adiala Jail due to security concerns. However, the Islamabad High Court had declared this trial as illegal, ordering a retrial in an open court.
Khan, 71, was apprehended in early August and faces a multitude of cases. Both he and his second in line were indicted in the cipher case, both pleading not guilty.
