Pakistan court extends judicial remand of Imran Khan in cipher case till 26 September

A special court in Pakistan on Wednesday extended judicial remand of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan in the cipher case till 26 September. The special court newly formed to hear cases related to the Official Secrets Act, 1923 Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain conducted the hearing of the cipher case inside the Attock Jail where the former prime minister is currently lodged. Former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was also produced in court on Wednesday following the completion of his 14-day judicial remand. The 70-year-old chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been kept in jail since 5 August after his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case. His sentence was suspended by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on 29 August, but he continues to remain in Attock prison in the cipher case. His remand has been extended till 13 September by a special court in the case. The cricketer-turned-politician is charged with the violation of the Official Secrets Act in connection with the leakage of a confidential diplomatic cable from Pakistan’s embassy in Washington. The special court hearing the case extended Khan’s remand till 26 September.