Cypher case: IHC to hear Imran Khan’s plea on September 25

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the respondents including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman’s petition seeking post-arrest bail in the cipher case on Monday.

The court issued notifications during last week's hearing of Khan's bail plea, which Khan filed in an effort to overturn the special court's ruling in the relevant case. The PTI chairman submitted the petition on Saturday, and today is the scheduled hearing date.

The PTI chief's post-arrest bail requests in the case of the missing cipher were denied by the special court, which was formed under the Official Secrets Act.

In response to the argument made by attorney Salman Safdar on behalf of the PTI leader, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC issued notices.

The legal team representing the PTI leader urged for an expedited hearing of the issue, but the IHC chief judge insisted that there is a correct mechanism in place and that the matter will be handled in accordance with it.

The IHC will review the case on September 25.

Furthermore, after being found guilty in the Toshakhana case on August 5, the PTI chairman was sentenced to prison. The IHC had postponed his punishment as of August 29.

However, a special court had directed Attock jail authorities to keep him in “judicial lockup” in connection with the cipher case.