The Supreme Court of Pakistan adjourned Imran Khan’s bail applications in the cipher case for an indefinite period and added that the appeals would be heard at its turn.

A three-member bench of the SC led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood heard two petitions filed by Khan on Wednesday, one challenging the original arrest and FIR in the cipher case and another appeal against bail being denied by a single-bench of the Islamabad High Court.

The bench also included Justice Ayesha Malik and Justice Yahya Afridi.

Lawyer Salman Safdar appeared in the first petition and told the court upon being asked that the matter of the cipher and subsequent case dated back to 2022.

The bench remarked that the petitioner had taken a while to approach the court and that the FIR contained offences that could lead to senences of death or life imprisonment.

At the bench’s asking, Safdar read out the FIR in the cipher case and told the court that Imran Khan was accused of misusing the cipher for political purposes and bringing harm to the state.

The bench also noted that the investigation officer had arrived at the hearing even though no notices had been issued to him and told him to remain on his seat.

When Safdar complained that the PTI chairman was being victimised, Justice Masood said that the case was being pursued politically. The judge said that the lawyer had tired to push the bail application and petition for dismissal of FIR simultaneously.

The bench then notified all parties including FIA and the federal government and adjourned the appeal indefinitely.

Appeal against IHC verdict

In the appeal against the single-bench’s ruling, the former prime minister was represented by lawyer and PTI leader Hamid Khan, who asked for time to prepare arguments.

Hamid Khan told the bench that a new decision on Khan’s jail trial had been issued by the Islamabad High Court and he needed time to study it.

Justice Masood told Khan that the bail application had been filed to challenge the IHC’s original verdict and he could file a new appeal against the latest order as well.

When the lawyer repeated his request for a delay, Justice Masood replied that Imran Khan’s appeal would be heard when it was its turn to be heard.

The former prime minister’s bail in the cipher case had been rejected by the IHC. The decision had noted that bail cannot be witheld as punishment but the case was sensitive so the special court should expedite hearings.

Khan is charged with illegally retaining and communicating the contents of a classified diplomatic cable under section 5 of the Official Secrets Act.