Jail lock will be broken… Imran gets bail in cipher case, celebration among supporters, will he contest elections in Pakistan?
The Supreme Court of Pakistan granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case. The court has directed both the leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to deposit bonds of Rs 10 lakh each. The order was issued by a three-member bench headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justices Athar Minallah and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah. The case is related to a diplomatic document, it is alleged that Imran Khan had deliberately made this secret document public. PTI has long believed that this document contained a threat from the United States to remove Imran from the post of Prime Minister.
Secret hearing was going on in Adiala jail
The special court (Official Secrets Act) last week began a fresh trial at Adiala district jail after Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi were convicted for the second time in the case on December 13. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his aide Shah Mehmood Qureshi were first convicted in the case on October 23. Both had pleaded not guilty. The trial was going on in Adiala jail and four witnesses had already recorded their statements. But, the Islamabad High Court termed the government’s notification for the jail trial as “erroneous” and quashed the entire proceedings.
What did Imran’s lawyer say in the Supreme Court?
Islamabad High Court had supported the indictment against Imran Khan. The court had ruled against Imran on his plea, but had also directed the special court judge to ensure a “fair trial”. Last month, PTI had moved the top court seeking bail following Imran’s arrest in the case. The petition argued that it is a clear and well-established principle of the Supreme Court that bail should never be used as a punishment. Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the FIA and the Federation on the petition and He was instructed to give his response on this.
Will Imran Khan contest elections?
It is not yet clear whether Imran Khan will participate in the general elections to be held in February or not. More than 70 cases are registered against Imran Khan. In all these cases, the court proceedings against him are in different stages. In such a situation, the picture regarding Imran Khan’s release from jail is not clear. Imran Khan was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan for accepting foreign donations. In such a situation, there is confusion whether he will contest the upcoming general elections or campaign for his party.
