ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) withdrawing stay order in respect of cipher case trial has annulled proceedings occurred after December 14.

Appeal plea of PTI founder Imran Khan against in camera trial of cipher case came up for hearing before single bench of IHC led by Justice Miangul hassan Aurangzeb here.

Court had stayed trial of cipher case. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and counsel Suleman Akram Raja appeared in court. AG gave his arguments.

Later Suleman Akram Raja took plea in court that proceedings after December 14 order be annulled. They have admitted that December 14 order was not correct.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb remarked “AG Sahib if you want to take back proceedings then you should do it from when order was passed. Order will also be issued in this regard.

AG while assuring to do in-camera proceedings afresh said we are ready to record statements of 13 witnesses.

Chief Justice IHC Aamer Farooq while reserving judgment on special prosecutor plea for in-camera hearing in cipher case on previous hearing had remarked, we will give decision after seeing record of case.

Barrister Suleman Safdar on behalf of petitioners and special prosecutors Shah Khawar and Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi had appeared in court.

Prosecutors had taken plea in court cipher case is being tried under Official Secrets Act. Former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were arrested in this case.

Barrister Suleman Safdar said reason for jail trial is not sensitivity but security concerns have been stated. CJ said let me see record of case and then we will decide how we have to run it.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 12 2024

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