Pakistan Supreme Court Accepts Imran Khan’s Bail Plea in Cipher Case

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Supreme Court has accepted the bail plea of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the cipher case, issuing notices to the Federation and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for their responses. In March 2022, Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi were accused of violating secret laws while handling a communication from Pakistan’s embassy in Washington. The diplomatic cable reportedly went missing from Khan’s possession.

The three-member bench, comprising Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, and Justice Yahya Afridi, found the bail petition admissible. Salman Safdar, Khan’s lawyer, read out the first information report, stating that the case dated back to 2022. The lawyer briefed the court on the inquiry report and accusations against the former prime minister.

Safdar argued that Khan was being politically victimized, highlighting that the case was not maintainable. He questioned the lack of information on where the alleged spying occurred. The court issued notices to the federal government and the FIA, adjourning the hearing indefinitely.

Khan is currently lodged in Adiala jail after being indicted on October 23.