Physical Remand of PTI leader
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency secured the physical remand of PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi for two more days in the cipher case.
The FIA had approached the special court responsible for the Cipher case under the Official Secrets Act. The agency sought a five-day extension in the remand of the PTI leader.
FIA gets physical remand of PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi for two more days.
After completing his nine-day extended remand, Qureshi appeared in court today. The Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Navi presented a plea to the court, stressing the necessity to recover Qureshi’s mobile phone.
In response, Qureshi’s counsel, Babar Awan, opposed the request and cited multiple decisions from the superior judiciary to support his defense.
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain heard the case. Earlier, FIA arrested PTI leader on Interior Secretary’s complaint under Sections 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act 1923 r/w 34 PP.
The First Information Report (FIR) stated, “Upon the conclusion of enquiry No. 111/2023 dated 05.10.2022, registered in the CTW, FIA Islamabad, it became apparent that former Prime Minister Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and their associates were engaged in disclosing information from a secret classified document (Cipher Telegram received from Parep. Washington dated 7th March, 2022, addressed to the Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to unauthorized individuals (i.e., the public), distorting facts to achieve their hidden motives and personal gains, thereby jeopardizing state security interests.”
During today’s hearing, Babar Awan argued that his client had no involvement in the cipher case. He cited Articles 90 and 91 of the Constitution in court. Awan emphasized that Qureshi had already been in remand for nine days that is sufficient.
Qureshi’s lawyer informed the judge that FIA already possessed Qureshi’s mobile and further remand was unnecessary. The court, however, extended remand of PTI leader for two more days.
