SC verdict won’t affect cipher trial, says written order

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a written verdict on the bail of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cipher case.

The verdict, written by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, said that there was no evidence that the PTI founder had disclosed the cipher text for the benefit of another country, or committed an offense under Section 5(3) B of the Official Secrets Act.

The four-page judgment also said that the observations made by the court will not affect the trial and the trial court can cancel the bail if the PTI founder misuses it.

Imran Khan, Qureshi’s bail approved in cipher case

The Supreme Court also annulled the order of the Islamabad High Court to complete the trial of the cipher case in four weeks.

The judgment stated that there was sufficient evidence for further investigation of the accused for violating the Official Secrets Act, but the decision of further investigation can be made by the trial court only after reviewing the evidence.

The Supreme Court had approved the bail applications of Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi on a bond of Rs1 million each.

The PTI leaders are accused of revealing the cipher text of a secret letter sent by a former diplomat from Washington.