Cipher case witnesses testify in court amid prosecutor's interruption
Stay tuned with 24 News HD Android App
The cipher case related to the Official Secret Act resumed its hearing in Adiala Jail Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi appeared in the court along with his team. Founder chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and the former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi were also present in the courtroom as witnesses.
The court recorded the statements of five more witnesses in the cipher case. They were Azam Khan, Anisur Rehman, Javed Iqbal, Muhammad Ashfaq and Hidayatullah. They all testified against the accused and confirmed their involvement in the cipher scandal.
During the cross-examination, Shah Mehmood Qureshi complained to the judge about Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi's repeated interruptions.
He said that the prosecutor was trying to give hints to the witnesses and influence their statements. He requested the judge to stop him from doing so.
On the complaint of Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the judge directed Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi to remain silent and not interfere with the proceedings. He warned him that if he continued to do so, he would be held in contempt of court.
The judge also said that he would not tolerate any attempt to tamper with the evidence or influence the witnesses. He said that he would ensure a fair and transparent trial.
The hearing of the cipher case was conducted by Special Court Judge Abu Al-Hasanat Zul-Qarnain. He adjourned the next hearing of the case till January 22.