Physical remand of PTI VC
ISLAMABAD: The special court judge in Islamabad extended the physical remand of PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi for another three days.
The special court extended remand of vice-chairman of PTI in the cipher case. The court handed over the custody of Qureshi to the Federal Investigation Agency on Friday.
The court did not allow media persons entry in the court room as the cipher case falls under the Official Secrets Act 2023.
Earlier, the same court had granted four-day physical remand of PTI’s vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi to the FIA. The court granted remand in the cipher case investigation.
The special court judge Abual Hasnat gave the remand and Qureshi was handed over to the FIA for interrogation.
On Monday, the government established the special court to deal with the Official Secrets Act cases. And the same day (Aug 21), the judge gave the physical remand of vice-chairman of PTI Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Islamabad police arrested Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday in the cipher case. Police presented Qureshi in before the special court judge Abual Hasnat on Monday.
On Monday, an Islamabad special court began hearing cases under the Official Secrets Act.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, PTI Vice Chairman, presented before the court. Judge Abual Hasnat, an ATC judge, presides over the case against him.
The court proceedings will be private as per the law. The court’s establishment follows controversy over the Act’s approval by President Arif Alvi.
President Alvi says he did not sign the bills
Notably, on Sunday (Aug 20), President Alvi disclosed that he did not sign the Officials Secrets Act and Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bills. He said his staff defied his orders and did not return the bills.
File photo of President Alvi who said he did not sign the Bills.
Meanwhile, PTI leaders Imran Khan and Qureshi are facing charges for misusing diplomatic cipher.
The FIR alleges they revealed classified information for personal gain, harming state security.
Qureshi was arrested on August 19, while a case against Khan was filed on August 15 under Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923 by the FIA.
