Pakistan court issues Imran Khan’s release orders in Cypher case

Islamabad [Pakistan], January 8 (ANI): A Pakistan special court on Monday issued release orders for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan after his bail was confirmed by the Pakistan Supreme Court in an official Secrets Act case, alias the Cypher case, Pakistan based Samaa TV reported.

The process for Khan’s release is underway, as per Samaa TV.

The release orders were issued by special court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain.

As per Samaa TV, the PTI founder will remain in Adiala Jail despite bail as he has been arrested in Toshakhana in a 190 million pounds case.

The Pakistan Supreme Court in December granted bail to Imran Khan and Pakistan ex-Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the Cypher case.

The court directed the PTI leaders to submit surety bonds of Pakistan Rupee (PKR) 1 million each.

The three-member bench, headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and including Justices Athar Minallah and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, issued the order based on a set of PTI petitions.

The cypher case involves a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency alleges was never returned by Imran, with the PTI asserting the document contained a threat from the United States to remove Imran as prime minister.

The Special Court (Official Secrets Act) restarted the cypher trial at Adiala district jail after Imran and Qureshi were indicted for the second time on December 13.

The trial had faced setbacks when the Islamabad High Court scrapped proceedings due to an “erroneous” government notification for a jail trial. The IHC endorsed Imran’s indictment, disposing of his plea, but instructed the special court judge to ensure a “fair trial.”