In the cipher case, the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been approved. After obtaining bail from the Supreme Court, bail bonds were submitted. The Official Secrets Act was invoked by Justice Abu Al-Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain for the ongoing proceedings. Imran Khan, arrested in both the £190 million case and the Toshakhana NAB case, can remain on bail in both cases.
The PTI founder provided a reference of £190 million to the accountability court. Judge Muhammad Bashir of the accountability court conducted the hearing in Adiala Jail. Deputy Prosecutor General NAB Sardar Mazhar Abbasi, Amjad Parvez, Special Prosecutors Irfan Bhola, Sahil Aarif, and others appeared in court. PTI lawyers Shoaib Shain and Barrister Amir Niazi were also present.
Human rights exception request was filed for a one-day presence of Bushra Bibi, which the court approved. The PTI founder was also provided with a reference quote of £190 million. Shoaib Shain, the advocate, signed on behalf of PTI in support. Due to the unavailability of Bushra Bibi, an individual charge could not be included in the Toshakhana reference. The court directed to ensure Bushra Bibi’s presence for the next hearing and adjourned the hearing until then. The accountability court has fixed the next hearing date.
It should be noted that despite the Supreme Court approving bail in the cipher case, the release of the PTI founder is not possible. Islamabad High Court had granted Imran Khan bail in the Toshakhana reference, delaying his sentence in the military court. The Supreme Court has also approved Imran Khan’s bail; however, despite obtaining bail from the Supreme Court, Imran Khan’s release is not possible.
NAB has detained Imran Khan in two more references, one related to Toshakhana and the other involving £190 million. Both cases are under trial in the accountability court, and until the trial court reaches a decision, Imran Khan cannot be released from jail.
Legal Proceedings for Imran Khan’s Release in the cipher Case
