SC approves bail of PTI founder, Shah Mahmood Qureshi in cipher case

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday approved the bail of the PTI founder and vice-president Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case.

The court ordered to release them after furnishing surety bonds worth Rs one million each. The order was issued by a three-member bench headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justices Athar Minallah and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah.

Acting Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood remarked that the speedy trial was the right of each accused. "The document being shown tells that a foreign power suffered a loss. Another country benefitted from the cipher and it was not investigated. How were two meetings of the National Security Committee held if the cipher was not available," the court observed.

He remarked that the old proceedings will not affect the new indictment. 

The court questioned whether the fun was made of the country by ousting the prime minister before time. "Political leaders are meted out the same treatment in every period. We should be told about the loss can be done to the country by releasing the former prime minister," it ruled.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah observed that there was no mention of deteriorating relations in the FIR. Justice Athar Minallah remarked that it was not the matter of the PTI founder, but it pertains to the elections and basic human rights.

Salman Safdar Raja, counsel for the PTI founder, contended that the former prime minister was the victim of political revenge. "The PTI founder has been granted pre-arrest bail in 40 cases. The former PM had not shared the content of the letter with anyone," he added.

On the other hand, the IHC adjourned the plea against the in-camera trial of the cipher case until December 28.