Islamabad, August 30 - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been sent to a 14-day judicial remand in a cipher case, according to reports from Pakistan-based Geo News. Qureshi, a former foreign minister, appeared before a special court set up to hear cases under the Official Secrets Act after the completion of his two-day physical remand. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) produced Qureshi before the court, where the FIA prosecutor requested an extension in his physical remand.

However, the request was rejected by Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, who expressed displeasure over repeated pleas for an extension. Qureshi's arrest came after a case was registered against him by the FIA's Counter Terrorism Wing (CTW) based on a complaint from Interior Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar. The FIR stated that Qureshi, along with former prime minister Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi and their associates, were involved in the communication of information contained in a secret classified document to unauthorized individuals, twisting the facts for personal gains.

Previously, on August 28, a special court in Islamabad extended Qureshi's physical remand for an additional two days in the cipher case. After his arrest on August 19, Qureshi was initially remanded in FIA custody for a day by a local magistrate in Islamabad. The cipher case involves the leakage of a confidential diplomatic cable that was allegedly misused for political purposes by the previous government led by Imran Khan. Qureshi, a close aide of Khan, was arrested under the Official Secrets Act for violating the secrecy of the cable when he was the foreign minister. Khan has claimed that the missing cable is evidence of a foreign conspiracy to remove him as prime minister.

The trial of Khan and Qureshi in the cipher case is expected to start within a fortnight, according to official sources. The FIA is working to complete the challan (charge sheet) by the end of August for the initiation of the trial in the special court. Khan has also been convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in the Toshakhana corruption case, but his sentence was suspended by the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday. However, he remains in Attock jail. The special court has extended Khan's judicial remand until September 13.