The cipher case against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was adjourned till November 23.

Justice Abul Hasnat Zulqernain of the Official Secrets Act special court conducted the proceedings in Adiala Jail where both suspects are incarcerated.

Imran Khan’s sisters also attended the proceedings.

FIA Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi told the media outside the court that the Islamabad High Court had issued a stay in the cipher case. Today, the high court is scheduled to hear petitions against the jail trial in the case.

He said the special court judge adjourned the proceedings in light of the IHC decision.

Also Read: Cipher case: IHC seeks notification of special court judge's appointment

On Nov 20, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) demanded the notification issued regarding the appointment of the Official Secrets Act special court judge, as well as reports about the supposed security threats to Imran Khan.

The court then adjourned the proceedings until Tuesday morning, 11am. The IHC also extended the order halting the jail trial for a day.

A division bench of the IHC, comprising Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Riffat, was hearing PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s intra-court appeals against his jail trial in the cipher case and appointment of the Official Secrets Act special court judge hearing the case.

The court had sought replies from Imran Khan’s lawyer during the previous hearing.

The court told Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, that according to the attorney general’s documents, the process of the judge’s appointment started with the high court.