Cipher case: SC indefinitely adjourns Imran’s bail application

The Supreme Court of Pakistan adjourned Imran Khan’s bail application in the cipher case for an indefinite period and added that the appeal would be heard at its turn.

A three-member bench of the SC led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood heard the case on Wednesday where Khan’s lawyer, Hamid Khan, asked for time to prepare arguments.

Hamid Khan told the bench that a new decision on Khan’s jail trial had been issued by the Islamabad High Court and he needed time to study it.

Justice Masood told Khan that the bail application had been filed to challenge the IHC’s original verdict and he could file a new appeal against the latest order as well.

When the lawyer repeated his request for a delay, Justice Masood replied that Imran Khan’s appeal would be heard when it was its turn to be heard.

The former prime minister’s bail in the cipher case had been rejected by the IHC. The decision had noted that bail cannot be witheld as punishment but the case was sensitive so the special court should expedite hearings.

Khan is charged with illegally retaining and communicating the contents of a classified diplomatic cable under section 5 of the Official Secrets Act.