Supreme Court Grants Bail to Imran, Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Cipher Case
Islamabad, The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the ongoing "Cipher Case."
The case relates to allegations that Khan and Qureshi mishandled a sensitive diplomatic document, known as a "cipher," containing confidential information regarding foreign relations. They were initially indicted in October 2023 but the indictment was later annulled by the Islamabad High Court.
A 3-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Acting Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, heard the bail applications on Friday. Khan's lawyer, Salman Safdar, argued that the case is politically motivated and the former Prime Minister is being targeted. He highlighted the unprecedented number of cases registered against Khan and Qureshi and questioned the fairness of the process.
The Supreme Court acknowledged the sensitive nature of the cipher document but emphasized the importance of due process and fair trial. The judges raised questions about the alleged mishandling of the document and the proper procedures for handling classified information. They also discussed the speedy trial principle and the potential impact of postponements on both prosecution and defense.
Ultimately, the court granted bail to both Khan and Qureshi against surety bonds. This decision brings a temporary end to their detention in the case but the underlying charges remain.
