ISLAMABAD (INP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that the trial of PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan will be held in prison, disposing of the plea against his cipher case trial inside the jail.
Pronouncing the verdict on Monday, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq wrapped up the case with directions stating that the jail trial is in favour of the PTI chairman, as he himself had talked about threats to his life.
The decision further stated that the court did not find any malice in the matter of the jail trial.
The PTI chief can approach the trial court if he has reservations about the jail trial, the verdict said.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq reserved the judgment on the former premier’s plea on September 12.
The PTI chairman had challenged the notification of the Ministry of Law and Justice that allowed the holding of cipher case trial in jail.
Presenting his arguments during today’s hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa said that former prime minister and PTI chairman was the Chief Executive of this country and his oath gives authority to the Chief Executive in such a situation.
The Chief Justice inquired of Khosa whether there is a law to declassify documents in Pakistan like America?
Khosa said that this cipher was declassified by the federal cabinet, Liaquat Ali Khan was killed in this country while what happened to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto is also in front of you.
He said that the cipher was sent to the Foreign Office by Asad Majeed. US official Donald Lu threatened to oust the country’s prime minister. It has been established this was an interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs, he added.
Then Khosa read the Prime Minister’s affidavit before the court which says that the Prime Minister has to tell that there is no danger to the country, it is for the Prime Minister himself to judge that there is no danger to the country from any act.
Khosa also read the oath of the ministers in front of the court. The court inquired if he is saying that he who thinks it is right, could disclose it?
Khosa replied in affirmative asserting that the Prime Minister could disclose what he thinks is right. If the previous coalition wanted to remain a slave then it was its political weapon, he added.
The court stopped Khosa from naming any party.
The PTI lawyer said that this matter went to the meeting of the National Security Committee and it was decided in the committee that a diplomatic protest would be made to the US. In the meantime, the Prime Minister was dismissed.
Leave a Reply