Former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi were indicted in the cipher case on Wednesday.
The proceedings in the cipher case against the two suspects were held in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, under the Official Secrets Act.
Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain read out the two-page charge sheet. The accused denied the charges, and the court summoned the prosecution’s evidence.
The indictment was filed under three counts of the Official Secrets Act. Further proceedings were adjourned till tomorrow (Thursday).
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The accused violated the Official Secrets Act as the prime minister and foreign minister. They waved the classified document in a public rally on March 27, 2022, as per the charge sheet. They deliberately used the cipher for personal gains, it added.
The move damaged national identity, security, and foreign affairs, the charges stated.
“As prime minister, you had the cipher, which was not sent back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” one of the charges says.
Upon hearing the indictment, Shah Mahmood Qureshi denied the charges outright.
Imran Khan, meanwhile, had a dialogue with Judge Zulqarnain. He claimed he had exposed the national and foreign establishment, and that this “cruelty” should also be included as his crime.
He said on one hand their government was overthrown, and on the other, they were also accused of the crime. “How is it possible that someone whose government has been overthrown is also the accused?” Imran Khan questioned.
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The court reprimanded the former prime minister, saying he should not say incorrect things and that his tone was not appropriate.
The court silenced Imran Khan for speaking repeatedly despite being stopped.
Previous hearing
Imran Khan and former Shah Mahmood Qureshi could not be indicted in the cipher case on Tuesday, while the court disposed of six different petitions filed by the defendants’ lawyers and adjourned the hearing.
During the hearing, 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 was an administrative matter and that the suspects did not have any 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.
He told Khan not to worry as whatever happens will be according to the demands of justice.
