Cipher case: IHC issues notice to FIA on Imran Khan's bail plea

Court seeks response from FIA about extension in PTI chief’s arrest.

Cipher case: IHC issues notice to FIA on Imran Khan’s bail plea. The Islamabad High Court Monday issued a notice to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s petition seeking post-arrest bail in the cipher case.

The court’s notices came during the hearing of Khan’s bail petition challenging the special court’s decision in the said case last week. The plea was filed by the PTI chairman on Saturday and was fixed for hearing today.

The special court — established under the Official Secrets Act — had rejected the post-arrest bail pleas of Khan and his party’s Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the case of the missing cipher.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued notices in response to the plea filed by lawyer Salman Safdar on behalf of the PTI chief.

The PTI chief’s legal team repeatedly urged for an early hearing of the case, following which the IHC chief justice emphasised that there is a proper procedure in place, and the case will be decided accordingly.

The FIA has been directed to submit its response to the PTI chief’s petition.

Khan and Qureshi are on judicial remand in the cipher case till September 26.

Last month, the FIA booked PTI chief and his party’s vice chairman under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly misplacing and misusing the classified document for vested political interests.

Subsequently, both leaders were arrested in connection with the investigation into the case and a special court was established under the Official Secrets Act to try the accused.