The Islamabad High Court rejected Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan’s petition against a jail trial in the cipher case on Monday.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq announced that the petition stood disposed and that a jail trial was better for Imran Khan.
The decision added that the court had found no ill-intent on part of authorities by holding the trial in jail. It also mentioned that Imran Khan had himself raised concern over his security in the past.
However, the court said Imran could approach the trial court if he had reservations against jail trial.
A day earlier, the Islamabad High Court Registrar’s Office had issued the cause list that announced that the decision reserved on September 12 would be announced on Monday.
The Islamabad High Court also reserved verdict on the petition filed by PTI Chief Imran Khan for post-arrest bail and quashment of the cypher case.
A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice Justice Aamir Farooq reserved the verdict on the former prime minister’s petition in the cypher case.
Imran Khan was arrested in the cipher case on August 29 from Attock Jail, where he was being held after being sentenced in the Toshakhana case. He has since been shifted to Adiala jail.
However, the special court constituted for the cipher case has held every hearing inside the jail premises instead of bringing Khan to court.
Before each hearing, the law ministry typically issues a letter allowing the case to be heard in jail. The jail hearings have been requested by Judge Abu Alhasnaat citing ‘security concerns’.
The jail trials have only allowed Khan’s lawyers to be admitted, with no room for media or family members. Khan’s lawyers have maintained that jail hearings affect Imran’s right to fair trial.
During bail hearings for the same case, the Federal Investigation Agency told the court that open court hearings could damage Pakistan’s diplomatic relations.
