ISLAMABAD: The attorney for former prime minister Imran Khan stated that the investigation into the case began prior to the registration of the complaint about the offense, as the Islamabad High Court heard the PTI founder’s appeal against the conviction in the cipher case.
On Tuesday, Barrister Salman Safdar made an argument in front of the division bench, which is made up of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Chief Justice Aamer Farooq.
He claimed the Ministry of Interior submitted the complaint before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under Section 33 of the Official Secrets Act on October 12, 2022. The investigation officer during the cross-examination, however, indicated that he was entrusted the inquiry in the matter on Oct 5, almost a week before the registration of the complaint, said the lawyer.
CJ Farooq enquired about the mechanism and procedure employed by the FIA and sought documented evidence from the counsel. Justice Aurangzeb questioned about the cause for the beginning of the probe under the secrets law. Barrister Safdar stated that the federal cabinet referred the inquiry to the FIA but the foundation of the inquiry was incorrect.
The defense attorney contended that the trial in the cipher case went into late hours and that the judge hurriedly ended it without providing enough time for the defense.
He maintained that despite the defense attorneys’ complete cooperation with the court, the trial court judge had selected two state attorneys as prosecutors.
The trial court’s orders were reviewed by the court, and Justice Aurangzeb declared that the claims made by the defense team and the court will be compared.
The judge also enquired about the method employed for the appointment of the state counsels.
Imran’s attorney informed the court that the Islamabad advocate general received an email from the trial court judge along with a list of possible prosecutors.
The advocate general was called by the bench, and the next hearing was postponed until Wednesday (today).
Imran cleared in two Federal Investigation Reports
Imran Khan, the former prime minister, was cleared on Tuesday by Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi of two charges brought against him in relation to violence during the long march in May 2022.
The federal capital’s Sihala and Lohi Bher police stations received these First Information Reports.
The attorney stated that although Mr. Khan was charged with several offenses related to the long march and for violating Section 144, at the time there was no official notification in the area prohibiting public meetings.
The judge was told by the lawyer that Mr. Khan had previously been found not guilty in cases comparable to this one. The court heard arguments, postponed making a ruling, and ultimately found Imran Khan not guilty.
