In a dramatic turn of events, the Special Official Secrets Act court has imposed a complete media ban on the highly anticipated cipher case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain emphasized that any breach would be processed under the Official Secrets Act, and the court order is to be shared with PEMRA and PTA to ensure compliance. The court, citing Section 14A of the Official Secrets Act, prohibits any broadcasting or reporting of the case on any media platform, including print, electronic, and social media.
This unprecedented move comes after a request by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor for an in-camera trial, arguing that the sensitive nature of the case involving classified diplomatic documents necessitates confidentiality.
The court, citing Section 14A of the Official Secrets Act, prohibits any broadcasting or reporting of the case on any media platform, including print, electronic, and social media. This unprecedented move comes after a request by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor for an in-camera trial, arguing that the sensitive nature of the case involving classified diplomatic documents necessitates confidentiality.
While the court acknowledged the presence of family members during the trial, it imposed strict conditions, requiring them to refrain from disclosing any details of the proceedings. Additionally, the public will be barred from attending the hearings, further limiting the public's ability to follow the case.
This decision has ignited a firestorm of debate. Former PTI chairman Imran Khan’s lawyers have raised concerns about the potential for abuse of power and a lack of transparency. They point to the Islamabad High Court's previous orders for an open trial and argue that the media ban violates the right to information.
This development follows the recent filing of charges against Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cipher case. Special Prosecutor FIA Raja Rizwan Abbasi highlighted the need for confidentiality in the trial, given the sensitive nature of the case under the Official Secrets Act.
The case centers on allegations that Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi disclosed the secret text of a cipher, a matter of national security. The court had previously seen challenges to notifications calling for an in-camera hearing, with the Islamabad High Court nullifying the notification and ordering an open trial. However, the latest court order reinforces the need for secrecy in the trial to protect classified information.
The cipher case, stemming from Khan's alleged mishandling of a diplomatic cable, has been a political maelstrom since its inception. Khan and Qureshi, who deny any wrongdoing, have accused the government of using the case as a political vendetta.
