Meher Bano Qureshi - daughter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi - on Saturday voiced concerns over the ongoing Cipher case trial, alleging irregularities and a lack of transparency in the legal proceedings.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Meher Bano expressed astonishment at the sudden revelation that the Cipher case was being heard within the confines of the jail.
"We did not know that the cipher case was to be heard in the jail today; it suddenly came to light," she remarked.
Highlighting the confusion surrounding the trial, she recounted the conflicting statements made by the judge.
"The judge first said that there is no open trial, then he said that the trial is open. If there was an open trial, then all the media people should have been inside," she stated.
According to her, the trial had commenced even before their arrival, and witness statements were allegedly being recorded in the absence of the accused.
"What is happening in the Cipher case has nothing to do with a fair trial," she emphasised.
Bail in cipher case
Earlier, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had recently approved the bail of PTI founder Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
However, Shah Mahmood's release was hindered due to the non-completion of necessary legal proceedings.
With a public holiday scheduled on December 25th to commemorate the birthday of Pakistan's founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Shah Mahmood Qureshi is expected to remain in jail for an additional two days.
While Imran Khan is also implicated in the £190 million scam and the Tosha Khana case, his release remains elusive, and he continues to be held in detention.
The developments in the Cipher case trial have now raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the legal proceedings, prompting further scrutiny from the public and political observers alike.
