RAWALPINDI, Oct 04 (Online): Special court set up under official secret act has adjourned the hearing of cipher case against chairman PTI and co-accused former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi till October 9 without proceeding.
The case came up for hearing before special court led by judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain Wednesday.
The case came up for hearing before special court led by Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain Wednesday.
During the hearing of the case in Adiala jail chairman PTI and co-accused Shah Mehmood Qureshi were present in the court.
Special prosecutor, FIA team, barrister Suleman Safdar counsel for chairman PTI, Naeem Punjutha and other legal team appeared in the court.
3 hearings of the case have taken place in Attock jail.
On the occasion of 4th hearing the court was to distribute copies of challan. The lawyers of the accused persons while refusing to receive copies of challan took the plea petition has been filed in Islamabad High Court (IHC) against in-camera hearing of cipher case and it has yet to be decided.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case till October 09.
Talking to media men outside Adiala jail, barrister Suleman Safdar, counsel for chairman PTI said” we have regretted to receive copies of challan because we have challenged in-camera hearing of the case in IHC. The IHC has reserved judgment on our petition. Therefore, we have requested the court there is no justification of in-camera hearing of the case till the decision of IHC.
As open court hearing is running in Supreme Court (SC), therefore, providing the opportunity of open court hearing to chairman PTI is his right.
He said our debate on petition has completed. High court will decide with reference to it that either the hearing will take place in camera or will it take place closed door beyond the hearing of the people.
They want such things should not reach the people. The court has dismissed the plea for keeping people out of this case. However we will not accept any hearing unless a decision comes. We will not accept copies of challan at any cost.
He said the hearing of cipher case should be open so that the people could ascertain facts. What allegations have been leveled should be proved before the people.
The government is hiding all matters. We will highlight the matter. There should be no closed door hearing. It is violation of article 10-A. IHC should nullify the notification of hearing of the case. Immediate decision should be made regarding the matter of bail of Imran Khan.
He underlined the matter of next hearing should be resolved within two or three days.
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