Judge Takes Leave Amidst Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi's Bail Pleas: Ongoing Legal Battle Intensifies

Islamabad, September 4 - Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, who has been presiding over the bail pleas of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a case related to the alleged disclosure of state secrets, has taken leave until September 8. The judge's leave was announced due to his wife's illness. The hearing on the case has been adjourned until September 7. The PTI's legal team, comprising lawyers Babar Awan, Salman Safdar, and Naeem Haider Panjotha, was informed about Judge Zulqarnain's leave in the courtroom, prompting them to approach another courtroom and request Judge Raja Javad Abbas to hear the bail plea.

However, Judge Abbas declined as he was not the duty judge and stated that he can only hear cases falling under the purview of the Official Secrets Act if the Islamabad High Court issues a notification. Lawyer Babar Awan suggested filing an application and approaching the high court for the hearing of the bail pleas. Judge Abbas agreed with this suggestion and mentioned that the Islamabad High Court would make the final decision. Later on, the PTI's legal team withdrew their application for a hearing in Judge Abbas's court. This development comes after Imran Khan was officially arrested in August in the cipher case under the Official Secrets Act. He was subsequently sent on judicial remand until August 30.

The cipher case revolves around a diplomatic cable that was allegedly misplaced and used by Khan for political purposes. Khan's bail plea was adjourned until September 4. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former foreign minister, was also arrested under the Official Secrets Act for violating the secrecy of the official cable sent by the Pakistani embassy in the US. Imran Khan, who faces around 180 cases, has recently had his three-year sentence in the Toshakhana corruption case suspended. However, his remand in the cipher case has been extended until September 13.

Khan has approached the Islamabad High Court against the appointment of the judge presiding over the special court for cases under the Official Secrets Act. He has also filed a post-arrest bail plea in the special court, with the next hearing scheduled for September 2. This ongoing legal battle has attracted significant attention in Pakistan, with Khan's opponents accusing him of being the source of the leaked diplomatic cable. As the case continues, the Islamabad High Court is expected to make a decision regarding the hearing and determine the next steps in this high-profile case.