ISLAMABAD:
Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday rejected the registration petition of treason case against former prime minister Imran Khan and former ministers. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued a reserved verdict in which attorney Maulvi Iqbal Haider, the petitioner, was also fined 100,000 rubles.
Article 199 petition of Constitution of Pakistan files treason case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry, senior party leader Qasim Khan Suri and Pakistan’s envoy to the US.
petitioner also sought an investigation into a diplomatic dispatch alleging a “foreign conspiracy to oust Imran Khan”. government and inclusion of names of said persons in flightless list.
In its verdict, the court noted that the diplomatic cable had been turned over to the National Security Committee (KNB), which apparently considered that no further investigation was required.
CJ noted that the frivolous petition was an attempt to stir up controversy about the cable. He pointed out what to make diplomatic cables moot against public interest and national security, because making them the subject of political debate or litigation affects trust of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) work.
senior judge also mentioned that the holding of “informal diplomatic talks” in public domain is likely to damage the image of Pakistan and foreign policy.
Read: Imran Khan sends diplomatic cipher to CJP
The court ruled that the petition contained outdated statements against in former prime minister, noting that it is a responsibility of every citizen ensure that national security has not been politicized or sensationalized.
Article 199 of Constitution, said the judge, the hearing could not be held using emergency jurisdiction. He said the petitioners were unaware. of Importance of diplomatic cables sent by Pakistani diplomats of in countries concernedbecause these communications are very important and their access limited.
He added that diplomats are confident that their analysis will not made sensational or politicized. He also said that diplomats have an obligation share their findings and analysis with in countries they represent, and a diplomatic cable in The question was sent by a competent diplomat.
The court said that FO should deal with such delicate and complex issues instead of bringing them to court.
CJ Minalla also noted that every citizen is considered a patriot and loyal to the state, unless the court declares him a traitor.
During the trial, the senior judge also noticed that Imran Khan was elected prime minister and should do not compare with former military Dictator General (right) Pervez Musharraf.
Earlier it was reported that, despite serious concerns from the legal wing, former Prime Minister Imran sent the FO code to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, alleging that a foreign country sent a threatening message through Pakistan’s envoy.
Sources told The Express Tribune that there was a possibility that the CJP might not read the diplomatic cipher.
It was reported that the US official warned that there could be repercussions if Imran survived opposition no-confidence motion in National Assembly (NA).
The emergency statement was also filed in IHC on Saturday, trying to hold back then-prime minister Imran from chief de notice of Army Headquarters (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
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