Former PM Imran Khan's Post-Arrest Bail Hearing Delayed as Court Contemplates Jurisdiction in State Secrets Leak Case

A special court in Pakistan has postponed the hearing of post-arrest bail applications for former prime minister Imran Khan and his close aide Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a case involving the alleged disclosure of state secrets. The court's decision comes as the Islamabad High Court considers a plea challenging its jurisdiction. The case stems from a purported secret diplomatic cable that detailed a meeting between US State Department officials and Pakistani envoy Asad Majeed Khan.

Khan has faced increased scrutiny following the publication of the cable by US media outlet The Intercept, with some pointing fingers at him as the source of the leak. Qureshi, the former foreign minister, was arrested under the Official Secrets Act for violating the secrecy of the official cable. Meanwhile, Imran Khan is facing numerous cases, including the rejection of his pre-arrest bail applications. He argues that his bail applications were dismissed due to his non-appearance in court after being convicted in the Toshakhana case.

The court advised waiting for the Islamabad High Court's decision before considering bail matters. Additionally, an ATC in Lahore has directed authorities to include Khan's sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, in an investigation into four separate cases filed against them.