In a recent development regarding the cipher case, the Islamabad High Court has stated that the Federal Investigation Agency lacks evidence to support the claim that former Prime Minister Imran Khan possessed the confidential diplomatic cable that later went missing from his custody.

A division bench of the Islamabad High Court, headed by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, raised questions during the hearing of appeals filed by Imran Khan and his former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi against their conviction in the cipher case. They questioned whether the prosecution had any records to prove Khan's possession of the cipher.

Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was sentenced to 10 years in prison along with Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case. Khan had displayed what he claimed was a diplomatic cipher at a public rally, alleging it as evidence of a conspiracy against his government by a foreign power, specifically referring to US diplomat Donald Lu.

Previously, a report from the foreign ministry revealed that most recipients of the cipher, including the former army chief and chief justice, returned the document after a case was filed against Khan. However, the court questioned whether there was any official record confirming the transfer of the cipher to Khan.

During the hearing, special prosecutor Hamid Ali Shah explained the movement of the cipher from the foreign ministry to the Prime Minister's Office. Chief Justice Farooq inquired about the evidence regarding the handover of the cipher to Khan by the principal secretary, to which Shah stated that the then-principal secretary testified that Khan received the cipher and did not return it.

The chief justice expressed skepticism, suggesting that Khan might have instructed the secretary to return the cipher. Shah argued that Khan publicly acknowledged possessing the cipher during speeches and interviews, and witnesses confirmed that he never returned it.

The court also discussed the appeal filed by Khawar Farid Maneka, seeking the transfer of the case against Khan and his wife in the Iddat case. Maneka accused the sessions judge of bias and requested recusal from hearing the appeal, alleging sympathy towards the PTI party.

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