PTI chairman, Shah Mehmood Qureshi indicted in cipher case

RAWALPINDI, Oct 23 (Online): Judge Abul Hasnat of Special Court established under Official secret act has indicted PTI chairman Imran Khan and his co-accused former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in cipher case.
Chairman PTI and Shah Mehmood Qureshi signed the documents related to indictment.
However they both have pleaded not guilty and negated the charges leveled against them.

The court issued summons to the witnesses for regular trial of the case besides adjourning the hearing of the case till October 27 to record the evidences.

Both the accused , Shah Khawar advocate counsel for FIA, other state counsels, Usman Riaz Gul, Umair Niazi, Khalid Yousif counsels for chairman PTI and Taimore Malik and Raja Qamar counsels for Shah Mehmood Qureshi were present in the court.
The counsels for the accused while opposing the indictment once again during the hearing of the case took the plea there is no substance in the allegations. Therefore, indictment cannot be framed.

Counsel for FIA took the stance the court had fixed hearing today for indictment but the lawyers of the accused are causing unnecessary delay under different pretexts and through new applications. Therefore court should indict the accused.
Upon it court indicted the accused and summoned the witnesses of the case on next hearing.
After hearing of the case Special prosecutor Khawar Shah told the media men outside the court the lawyers also argued today with reference to distribution of copies of challans. But today was fixed for indictment of the accused, the indictment was read out in open court. Chairman PTI and Shah Mehmood Qureshi were present in the court when indictment was announced. The next hearing of cipher case has been fixed on October 27. The witnesses of prosecution have been summoned on next hearing.
Barrister Usman Gill, counsel for chairman PTI while talking to media men said today date was fixed for framing indictment. But indictment cannot be framed without complete witnesses. We submitted our objections before court which were rejected by the court. Chairman PTI and Shah Mehmood Qureshi signed the indictment documents. At the time of framing indictment chairman PTI and Shah Mehmood Qureshi raised objection
Umair Niazi counsel for PTI said we will resort to high court against decision of indictment.

Chairman PTI said tell me what the allegations against me are. Cipher be made public. There is no evidence about Bannigala meeting anywhere.
Chairman PTI said flat costing Rs 18 million was sold to Malik Riaz. Biometric staff reaches airport for Nawaz Sharif. Under London plan Nawaz Sharif was brought to Pakistan. Arif Alvi was told about London plan. Nawaz Sharif always plays with the support of umpire. PTI is being bulldozed.

During the hearing of the case, Chairman PTI cited to a Hadith as well.

With regard to provision of cycle to chairman PTI the judge again directed to jail administration to provide cycle to chairman PTI.

The court did not provide documents at the time of indictment. If cipher was made missing then it should have been available with other institutions. Cipher remained in the possession of Shehbaz Sharif more than 200 days.
On the occasion the court directed to provide cycle to chairman PTI. Some days back superintendent Adiala Jail had regretted to provide cycle jail till the written orders of court.