Hearing against indictment in cypher case postponed

Islamabad: The hearing on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and former interior minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's plea against indictment in the cypher case Friday postponed following the petition of PTI lawyers.

According to the details, a three-member bench headed by Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Sardar Tariq Masood heard the plea of founder PTI and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cypher case against bail and indictment.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor told the court that Shah Mehmood Qureshi's bail petition was not noticed. On which the Acting Chief Justice said: “We are giving notice now, why are you in such a hurry. The prosecution is in the court, therefore we are doing notice to the state for today”.

PTI founder Salman Safdar Advocate stated that the trial of their case goes on till 6:00 pm even after the court hours. On which Justice Tariq Masood said that people say that their cases do not proceed and if yours is being proceeded then you have objection. We will dispose of the indictment plea as ineffective.

Lawyer Salman Safdar added that Hamid Khan has amended the petition, now it should be taken as a new appeal. Responding to which Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said how can they hear the amended application before the High Court?

Justice Mansoor also said that the indictment of December 13 was not challenged in the cypher case, on which lawyer Hamid Khan added to wait for today's High Court proceedings.

The Acting Chief Justice stated that even if the High Court acquits, nothing can be done on this petition against the indictment as it has become ineffective.

PTI's lawyer said, “Adjourn the hearing today, maybe I will withdraw the petition filed against the indictment on the next hearing,” to which Sardar Tariq said that if the case is postponed, the bail case will also be treated now.

The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on the plea against framing of charges in the cypher case on the request of PTI's lawyer.