IHC reserves verdict on Imran Khan’s plea against Cipher case trial in Attock jail

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on Tuesday on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan challenging the decision to conduct the trial in the cipher case at Attock jail.

The former prime minister — who is in judicial custody till September 13 in the cipher case — filed a plea in the IHC against the law ministry’s notification through his counsel Sher Afzal Marwat.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over today’s hearing during which lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat appeared on behalf of the PTI chief.

Imran Khan was sent to prison on August 5 after he was convicted in the Toshakhana case.

Though the IHC had suspended his sentence on August 29. A  special court had directed Attock jail authorities to keep him in “judicial lockup” in connection with the cipher case.

The PTI chief in his petition, requested the court to declare the notification null and void as it was “illegal” to shift the court to Attock jail.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq reserved the verdict on the plea challenging the ministry’s notification after hearing the arguments on Tuesday.

The court had sought an explanation from the respondents on the notice.

During today’s hearing, Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal told the court that the cipher’s hearing in Attock jail was a one-time permission.

“The hearing on the case was held in [Attock] jail on August 30,” he said, adding that the ministry had also issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) regarding the holding of trial in the prison.

Justice Farooq remarked that the jail trial is not unusual and inquired about its procedure.

The prosecutor said that the notification regarding moving the court to Attock jail was issued as per the law.

The court questioned what would happen if the notification was issued again. “It has to be decided under what authority can the notification be issued,” the IHC judge observed.

PTI lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat said the notification was based on ill intent.

“The application has not become ineffective, the court has to decide notification’s validity,” he remarked.

Advocate Marwat said before the court that another verdict has been reserved on one of their pleas, urging the court to announce the decision.

To which, IHC Chief Justice Farooq assured the PTI lawyer that the court would decide on the matter.