A special Official Secrets Act court in Islamabad Thursday confirmed the bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar in the cipher case on the condition of submitting Rs50,000 worth of surety bonds, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

While presenting his arguments before the court on the pre-arrest bail plea of Asad Umar in the cipher case, approver Babar Awan said that Asad Umar had joined the investigation in writing.

“I wrote a letter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) myself and asked them to tell me when and where I should join the investigation,” Asad Umar told the court.

“Asad Umar has not been nominated directly in the cipher case. I have a simple question for the prosecution. When the answer comes I will start my arguments. What investigation has been done against my client [Asad Umar] so far?” Babar Awan questioned.

“Yes, tell [us] what has been investigated so far?” the court inquired the prosecution.

“If there is only one case, call the rest of the lawyers as well,” Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain ordered to call the lawyers for PTI chairman Imran Khan and senior vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

“Accused join the investigation. The investigation officers do not go after the accused. He [Asad Umar] has not joined the investigation. If he had joined the investigation, he might have been declared innocent,” the prosecution said.

In the meantime, Special Prosecutor Shah Khawar reached the courtroom and told the court that Asad Umar’s arrest was not required in the case.

“There is no evidence against Asad Umar so far. If the court wants to hear arguments on the bail plea of Asad Umar, it is its own will. If evidence is found during the investigation, Asad Umar will be informed,” he said.

“If the FIA does not have evidence, the bail should be confirmed,” pleads Babar Awan.

Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain wrote the decision in open court on Asad Umar’s bail plea.

“According to the prosecution, there is still no evidence against Asad Umar. He expressed willingness to join the investigation, but the prosecution did not investigate,” the judge wrote in his judgement.

“According to the FIA’s investigation, Asad Umar’s arrest is not required. If Asad Umar’s arrest is required, the FIA will proceed according to law. It will inform Asad Umar first,” the judge wrote further.

The court then confirmed the bail of Asad Umar on the condition of submitting Rs50,000 worth of surety bonds.

 

Reporter: Farzana Siddique