Special Court Grants Former PM Imran Khan Permission to Speak with Sons Over the Phone:
A special court in Pakistan has granted former Prime Minister Imran Khan permission to engage in a phone conversation with his sons, Sulaiman Khan and Qasim Khan. The one-page written order, issued by special court judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, directs the superintendent of Adiala Jail, where Khan currently incarcerated, to ensure that Khan speaks to his sons over the phone. Imran Khan, the 71-year-old leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been in Adiala Jail since August, following his arrest on charges of violating the Official Secrets Act. The charges are related to his alleged disclosure of a secret diplomatic cable.
Khan’s Legal Team:
Khan’s legal team submitted a plea to the special court on September 11, seeking contempt of court proceedings against the Attock jail superintendent. The plea asserted that despite previous court orders permitting Khan to speak to his sons, the jail authorities had refused him that right. The Attock jail authorities, in their response to the contempt of court petition, argued that jail rules, guided by the Prisoners Act of 1978, prohibit accused individuals facing charges under the Official Secrets Act from engaging in phone conversations.
The Special Court:
The special court had previously declared that Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi would indict on October 17, marking the official commencement of the trial. However, on Tuesday, the Special Court adjourned the indictment until October 23. This delay followed the court’s decision to suspend Khan’s three-year prison sentence in the Toshakhana case, where he was initially incarcerated before his arrest in the cipher case.
Imran Khan’s legal battle involves navigating a complex legal landscape, and the phone conversation with his sons becomes a significant development in the backdrop of the impending trial. As the court proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the allegations of violating the Official Secrets Act, emphasizing the gravity of the charges against the former prime minister and PTI leader.
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