Page 9 - Pakistan Link - November 24, 2023

PAKISTAN PAKISTAN LINK - NOVEMBER 24, 2023 - P9
Wednesday issued notices to the feder- Supreme Court Seeks Responses from Federation, The petition
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on
Moved through Safdar on behalf of
ation and Federal Investigation Agency Imran, the petition pleaded that it was
(FIA) and sought responses from them FIA on Imran’s Bail Plea in Cipher Case an unequivocal and well-established
on PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s bail principle of the Supreme Court that
plea in the cipher case. that the case should not have been reg- bail should never be wielded as a form
The cipher case pertains to a diplo- istered in the first place. He added that of punishment.
matic document that the FIA’s charge the sections invoked apply to crimes The grant of bail is a remedy primar-
sheet alleges was never returned by such as espionage. ily vested in the discretion of courts, a
Imran. The PTI has long held that the “The investigation does not men- discretion that must be exercised with
document contained a threat from the tion anywhere how an enemy state the utmost care and caution, as it con-
United States to oust Imran as prime benefitted,” he further argued. stitutes a fundamental facet of the judi-
minister. The case, Justice Masood high- cial power, the petition said. Each bail
The former premier and his aide lighted, says the code of the cipher application must be meticulously con-
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is also was compromised. “Although the code sidered in light of the relevant facts and
behind bars, were indicted in the case keeps changing, it can change even af- circumstances as they pertain to liber-
on Oct 23. Both have pleaded not ter a week,” he said. ties of citizens, he added.
guilty and approached the apex court For his part, the PTI counsel con- The liberty of a citizen has been el-
for bail. tended that the sections invoked in the evated to a high pedestal by provisions
Earlier, the Islamabad High Court FIR were incorrect as compared to the of Articles 7 and 9 of the Constitution
endorsed Imran’s indictment, dispos- complaint. “The cipher was declassi- which ensure that no citizen should
ing of his plea against the same, but fied as per the law and then presented be deprived of his life or liberty, save
had also instructed the special court how far the matter dated back to. It must be recalled that an alleged in the National Security Committee,” in accordance with law, nor any ac-
judge to ensure a “fair trial”. Last week, It is from 2022, the lawyer replied. confession from Azam, Imran’s princi- he said, adding that the same was also cused person should be detained with-
the court halted trial court proceedings At that, the judge said the PTI had pal secretary when he was prime min- mentioned in the SC verdict on the no- out lawful authority of the competent
against the PTI chief while hearing his spent an entire year on the case. He ister, surfaced on social media earlier confidence motion against Imran. court.
intra-court appeal. also highlighted that some sections in this year wherein he claimed that the However, Justice Masood directed Unfortunately, a disheartening
Yesterday, the court declared ille- the FIR mentioned two-year punish- narrative behind the cipher — which Safdar to stick to arguments pertaining trend has emerged where the state ma-
gal the proceedings of the cipher case, ment while others entailed lifetime im- the PTI chief has for long presented to the current case while Justice Afridi chinery, in a questionable display of
meaning that the entire process would prisonment and death penalty. as evidence of a “foreign conspiracy” asked if the cipher was a secret docu- power and authority, has made strenu-
have to start afresh. It also said notifi- Justice Masood also chided the FIA to oust him from the top office — was ment. ous attempts to concoct and fabricate
cations issued for conducting the trial investigating officer for appearing in fabricated. It was not a secret document after false cases, the petition alleged, adding
in jail were against the law and spoiled court without notice. During the SC hearing, the PTI declassification, the lawyer responded. that the registration of the cipher case
the proceedings, including the indict- Meanwhile, Justice Afridi noted counsel also contended that his client “Did the accused show the cipher was another facet of this malevolent
ment of the PTI leaders and the testi- that the cipher case inquiry had said was being made a victim of political before it was declassified?” Justice Af- campaign, with the sole objective of
monies of four witnesses. the role of the co-accused would be revenge and recalled how he had pre- ridi asked, to which Safdar replied in settling scores with the petitioner.
On Wednesday, a three-member SC determined during the investigation. sented arguments before the court the negative. The judge also clarified The petition alleged that the initia-
bench, comprising Justice Sardar Tariq “What did the investigator say about for hours. However, Justice Masood that the court was currently looking at tion of the cipher case, orchestrated at
Masood, Justice Ayesha A. Malik and Azam Khan in the final investigation remarked that this happened because the charges. the behest of the interior secretary and
Justice Yahya Afridi took up Imran’s report?” he asked. the cases were being run in a political At one point during the hearing, executed by the Federal Investigating
plea and declared it as admissible. In his response, Safdar said the manner. Justice Masood asked: “If the cipher Agency (FIA), represents yet another
probe did not convey a clear stance. “The accused is not under 60 years is waved in the air and its contents are endeavor to subject the petitioner to
The hearing “Azam Khan was abducted, his fam- and the case pertains to further in- revealed, then does it not fall under the political victimization.
At the outset of the hearing, PTI ily had even registered a case … after- quiry, so let’s come to that,” the judge category of communication?” This orchestrated effort to target the
counsel Salman Safdar read out loud wards, his statement came forward,” added. Subsequently, the court issued no- petitioner is part of an ongoing pattern
the first information report registered the lawyer said. Here, Justice Ayesha asked about tices to all the respondents in the case of the abuse of the Criminal Justice
against Qureshi and Imran in the case This is how the truth comes forth, the basic grounds of the case, to which and adjourned the hearing for an in- System, all under the directive of po-
after which Justice Masood inquired Justice Masood remarked here. Safdar said the main argument was definite period. litical adversaries. - Dawn

Reduction in Haj Expenses Announced ECP Asks PTI to Hold Fresh

intra-party Polls or Lose 'Bat' Symbol
regional languages.
Highlighting improvements in the Haj pro-
cess, Dr Ahmed revealed that Islamabad and The ECP had issued notices to the PTI for not
Karachi have been incorporated into Saudi Ara- holding intra-party polls on August 2 and reserved
bia's Road to Makkah project. its verdict on the matter on September 13.
This inclusion allows Karachi airport to The verdict will be a disturbing development for
complete the immigration process for pilgrims, the PTI as most of its leadership, including Chair-
thus streamlining their journey. man Imran Khan, his deputy Shah Mahmood
Besides, the government has introduced a Qureshi and party president Pervaiz Elahi, are in
20-day short Haj package, striving to make Haj jail or have deserted the party following the crack-
more financially accessible to citizens. down launched against them after the May 9 riots.
Muslim pilgrims gather around the holy Efforts are underway to ensure Pakistani pil- 'Imran Khan can participate in intra-party polls'
Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city grims are accommodated in tents at Old Mina, PTI workers at a public gathering in an undated PTI lawyer Barrister Gohar, in his media talk
of Makkah on June 24, 2023, as they arrive for as the distance to New Mina poses many chal- picture — AFP/File outside the ECP office, said that he was disappoint-
the annual Haj pilgrimage — AFP lenges for pilgrims. ed with the verdict.
Highlighting the allocation of Haj seats, Dr ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) “Election Commission did not fulfill the re-
KARACHI: The caretaker federal government Ahmed mentioned that Pakistan has secured has been asked by the Election Commission of quirements of justice,” said Gohar. He also alleged
on Wednesday announced reducing govern- 179,000 Haj seats, with half reserved for private Pakistan (ECP) to hold fresh intra-party polls if it that the ECP delayed the announcement of the ver-
ment Haj expenses by Rs0.1 million in a bid to Haj operators. wishes to contest on the "bat" symbol in the Febru- dict for a “special purpose”. “The bat symbol will
make the religious obligation accessible to in- The Ministry of Religious Affairs will over- ary 8 elections. remain with us. We will challenge this order on an
tending pilgrims. see these operators to guarantee the well-being The commission has asked the PTI to hold fresh appropriate forum,” said Gohar.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Dr of pilgrims, holding the ministry responsible elections within 20 days and get back with the re- Separately, in an interview with Geo News, Go-
Aneeq Ahmed said the pilgrims will receive a for any issues faced by those performing Haj sults within a week of polls while announcing a re- har said that no one can “minus” the PTI chairman
30kg suitcase each, and female pilgrims will re- through private operators. served verdict in the day. and he was, is, and will remain the party chief.
ceive scarfs (abaya) featuring the national flag, a Dr Ahmed also noted the ongoing renova- In the verdict, the ECP stated that the PTI failed “There is no such disqualification that bars Imran
first-time provision. tion work at the Haji Camp Karachi building, to hold free and fair intra-party elections, adding Khan from participating in elections.,” said Gohar
During a news conference at the Haji Camp reinforcing the commitment to enhance pil- that the polls were objectionable and controversial. who is also the spokesperson of the party. He added
Karachi, Dr Ahmed highlighted the introduc- grimage facilities. “PTI’s intra-party elections cannot be accepted,” that as per Articles 62 and 63 only a disqualified
tion of a mobile application aimed at aiding Regarding expenses, Dr Ahmed clarified stated the verdict, directing the party to hold polls person is barred from contesting an election. Gohar
pilgrims. that the announced package excludes qurbani and submit the record within seven days. said that the PTI chief was convicted in only one case
This app will offer navigation assistance and (sacrifice) expenses during the Haj. “If PTI fails to hold elections within 20 days and that too was quashed by the high court.
keep pilgrims in constant contact with relevant Additionally, intending pilgrims opt- then it will have to face severe consequences. In “Chairman PTI has not been disqualified, he is
officials. ing for a shorter stay in Medina will re- case of failure to hold [intra-party] elections, the eligible for all offices. According to the instructions
Initially available in English and ceive a further reduction of Rs 35,000 in [PTI] will not be eligible to secure an election sym- of Chairman PTI, he can and will contest the elec-
Urdu, the app will later include various Haj expenses. – The News bol,” said the verdict. tion,” said Barrister Gohar. – The News
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