Cypher case: Hearing of Imran, Shah's bail pleas postponed

Islamabad: Special Court judge Abul Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain is on leave today (Monday), due to which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi's bail pleas were not heard, while PTI requested the duty judge to hear the appeals.

According to details, Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood's lawyers reached the court, when the court staff informed that Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain is on leave till September 08. PTI lawyers requested a way out for the hearing.

After which the lawyers of former prime minister and foreign minister appeared in the court of Duty Judge Raja Jawad Abbas and appealed to hear the petition.

Duty Judge Raja Jawad said there is no official secret act notification. If you get the mark from high court then I can also hear the case. There are two ways either the registrar should approach the high court or wait till September 09.

Jawad Abbas added: “A request for leave has been sent to the Registrar Islamabad High Court (IHC), there are 24 courts, I can hear all of them, but here the matter is different”.

For the rest of the courts I am the duty judge, in my absence, Shahrukh Arjumand will be the judge. I can exercise authority in other courts except the Official Secret Act. Being an admin judge, my jurisdiction can be exercised in 24 courts, stated the duty judge.

PTI's lawyer Babar Awan said: “We will submit an application, and whatever you order will be, we will accept it”.

PTI filed a request to the duty judge to hear bail, in which it was requested that the matter is of bail, you are the duty judge, therefore hear the case.

It is pertinent to note that while Chairman PTI is in Attock Jail and Shah Mehmood is imprisoned in Adiala Jail, the court had asked the arguments from the parties today.