Pakistan’s Supreme Court has approved the post-arrest bail applications of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case. Imran Khan was indicted in the cipher case earlier this month, and the Islamabad High Court declared their jail trial null and void.
Imran Khan’s Claims During the Hearing:
During the hearing, Imran Khan asserted that “powerful people” behind the cipher case were being protected. He mentioned initiating an inquiry into the matter during his tenure as prime minister and criticized the imprisonment of his party leaders while highlighting the return of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan.
About the Cipher Case:
Imran Khan faces charges of leaking state secrets related to a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington last year. He has pleaded not guilty to making the information public.
Release Uncertain:
It remains unclear if Imran Khan will be released immediately, given the multiple arrest warrants issued against him in various other cases.
Other Cases Imran Khan Jailed For:
Imran Khan has been in jail since August after being convicted on corruption charges in a separate case.