ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday turned down to petitions filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan seeking bail and cancellation of FIR in a case related to controversial US cipher.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq announced the ruling which was reserved on October 16 after both sides completed their arguments.
During the last hearing, Sardar Latif Khosa, the former prime minister’s counsel, had argued that his client could not be booked in the case as the cipher was declassified the federal cabinet of the prime minister.
He contended that Article 248 of the Constitution provides immunity to the president, governor, prime minister, federal minister, minister of state, chief minister and provincial minister for their “act done or purported to be done.”
Another counsel for Imran Khan, Barrister Salman Safdar said Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act was not applicable in the cipher case as it can be invoked when the secret information is leaked to foreigners.
A special court established under the Official Secrets Act has indicted both party leaders. The PTI chief and his deputy Shah Mahmood Qureshi are currently detailed at the Adiala jail on judicial remand in the cipher case.
On October 26, the IHC had also rejected Imran Khan’s pleas to stop trial in the case.
