IHC vacates stay on cipher case trial, annuls proceedings from Dec 14

Accepting the plea of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan against his in-camera trial in the cipher case, the Islamabad High Court has annulled the proceedings of the cipher case from December 14 onwards, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The high court also lifted its stay on the proceedings. 

Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb of Islamabad High Court on Thursday heard the appeal against the in-camera trial of PTI founder Imran Khan in the cipher case.

It should be noted that on Dec 28, the Islamabad High Court issued a stay order on ex-premier Imran Khan’s in-camera cipher trial till January 11, noting that there were “legal errors” in the case.

During today’s hearing, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and lawyer Salman Akram Raja appeared in the court.

The Attorney General gave his arguments, after which lawyer Salman Akram Raja took a position in the court that the proceedings after the order of December 14 should be declared null and void. He said that the December 14 order was not correct.

Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb asked the Attorney General if he wanted to withdraw the proceedings, then he should do it from where the order was passed.

The judge said that a regular order would also be issued in this regard, to which, the Attorney General assured to resume the in-camera proceedings and said that the statements of 13 witnesses were ready to be recorded again.

Later, the court annulled all proceedings of the cipher case trial after December 14 and lifted the stay order on the proceedings.

Reporter Ehtisham Kiyani