Official Secrets Act: Special court gives four days remand of Qureshi

Islamabad:  The Special court, established under the purview of the Official Secrets (Amendment) Act, has granted four days remand of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the detained leader of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf,

Earlier today, Shah Mahmood Qureshi made his appearance before a specialized court established under the purview of the Official Secrets (Amendment) Act.

The court convened to address the cipher case registered against him under the Official Secrets Act.

The legal counsel representing the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) put forth a formal request for a 13-day physical remand of Mr. Qureshi. The rationale behind the remand, as argued by the FIA, was the imperative to retrieve documents pertinent to the cipher case.

Judge Abul Hasnat, after considering the submissions, chose to reserve the pronouncement of the verdict for a later time. However in the afternoon, announcing the verdict the Judge gave four day physical remand of Shah Mehmood to the police.

The creation of this special court, empowered by the Official Secrets (Amendment) Act, was announced earlier today.

Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain, presently presiding over an accountability court, was entrusted with the additional responsibility of this newly constituted tribunal. Judge Abul Hasnat is mandated to oversee cases arising from violations of the Official Secrets Act.

New special court established to hear Official Secrets Act cases

Notably, the capital city of Islamabad houses the solitary court established under the revised legislation. In accordance with the provisions of the amended law, proceedings related to cases under the Official Secrets Act are conducted in-camera, safeguarding classified information.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi was present in person as he stood before the court. The proceedings of the hearing took place behind closed doors, adhering to the in-camera protocol.

In the aftermath of the court proceedings, Shah Mehmood Qureshi was escorted back to his detention facility under stringent security arrangements.

A day prior, on August 20, President Arif Alvi expressed his stance on the matter via X (previously known as Twitter). He disclosed that he had refrained from signing two legislative bills, citing his fundamental “disagreement” with their content.

President Alvi communicated that he had instructed his staff to return the unsigned bills within the stipulated timeframe, thereby preventing their implementation.

Regrettably, President Alvi noted, his directives were disregarded by his staff, leading to the automatic enactment of the bills into law.

The President sought divine forgiveness and humbly asked for pardon from those adversely affected by the outcome.

Web Desk