Former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi could not be indicted in the cipher case even today. The court disposed of six different petitions filed by the defendants’ lawyers and adjourned the hearing till tomorrow.
Official Secrets Act special court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain heard the case against the two suspects in Adiala Jail.
Imran Khan complained about not having an open trial, while Qureshi also complained about the absence of media. The former premier told the judge this was not how an open trial was conducted.
Judge Zulqarnain remarked that it is an administrative matter and that the suspects did not have an idea how they were being given relief by going out of the way. “You have no idea how much relief you have been given and will be given in the future also,” he said.
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He told Khan not to worry as whatever happens will be according to the demands of justice.
'No point keeping anyone behind bars if crime not established'
“Whatever is due on merit will be granted. I don't know what the decision will be tomorrow and I don’t speak before time. If no one is found guilty, there is no point in keeping them behind bars,” the judge remarked.
Qureshi said that the objectives of an open trial were not being fulfilled, questioning that when a decision about an open trial was there, why the media was being stopped from attending it.
The judge said he would speak to the jail administration, but the media people also talk loudly. “There is a decorum in court, which should be maintained,” he remarked.
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At the last hearing, a journalist went outside and said something after which he lost his job, the judge said further.
Advocate Usman Gul complained that they were not given copies of the investigation report. At this, the judge said they were given two copies of the report and they did not submit any objection within seven days.
Imran Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar adopted stance that the court was proceeding in haste and suggested this should not happen.
The court inquired about the point where haste was shown. The judge further said that the court is proceeding in a balanced and neutral manner.
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During the proceedings, the families of the accused were allowed to come forward in the courtroom.
The court, while dealing with six different requests related to the copy of the investigation report, notification and media access, fixed December 13 as the date for the indictment.
'No open trial'
Shah Mahmood Qureshi's lawyer Barrister Taimur Malik while talking to the media outside Adiala Jail said the indictment proceedings were supposed to take place today, which did not happen.
He also said there was no indication of an open trial today, adding that his client also complained that only five people were invited.
Malik referred to Islamabad High Court orders according to which an open trial must be conducted. “We convinced the court to implement the high court orders,” he added.
Media representatives and lawyers should also be allowed to attend the hearing, Malik asserted.
