Extends Stay Against Jail Trial in Cipher Case for PTI Chief Imran Khan

In a recent development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended the stay against the jail trial of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, Imran Khan, in the cipher case. The extension, granted until November 21, was approved by a two-member bench comprising Justice Gul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat.

Imran Khan is currently held in Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on judicial remand. During this hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, requested the extension of the stay order, The court ask important questions about the trial, particularly questioning why the special court judge had requested the trial to be conducted in jail and what security concerns were taken into account.

Justice Aurangzeb expressed concerns over notifications issued by the federal government regarding the jail trial, stating that they appeared to be prima facie against high court rules.


Read More: Adiala Jail Superintendent Requests Dismissal of Contempt Petition by Imran Khan

The judge wants answers about different parts of the trial and has asked for information about the special court judge’s appointment. The court also wants reports on the security threats that led to the trial being in jail.


Read More: Security Concerns Delay Imran Khan’s Appearance Before Election Commission

With the extension of the stay on the jail trial, bigger questions come up about how clear and fair the trial process is for important cases.