Imran Khan’s Cipher Case Plagued by Unprecedented Injustice | Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

 

The Egregious Erosion of Due Process: Imran Khan’s Cipher Case Plagued by Unprecedented Injustice

In a stunning affront to due legal process, the cipher case against Imran Khan has unraveled into a grotesque mockery of justice, characterized by secretive proceedings, biased judges, and a complete trampling of the rights of the defense. The verdict delivered by Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain, imposing a ten-year sentence on Imran Khan, not only reeks of haste but also bears the unmistakable stench of bias, leaving the very foundation of justice in shambles.

This trial, unprecedented in Pakistan’s history, has been plagued by a series of egregious errors committed by Judge Zulqarnain, as admonished by the Islamabad High Court on three separate occasions. Despite these rebukes, the judge persisted in his prejudiced conduct, laying bare a clear bias against Imran Khan that calls into question the integrity of the entire legal process.

The proceedings unfolded in the disconcerting confines of a jail meeting room, where fairness and transparency were abandoned in favor of a clandestine operation. The shocking actions taken against Imran Khan’s defense team, comprising seasoned lawyers such as Sikandar Zulqarnain, Barrister Taimur, and Mr. Usman Gill, reached an unprecedented low when they were summarily ejected from the proceedings without reasonable cause. This affront to legal representation for the accused strikes at the very heart of justice and represents a glaring violation of legal norms.

The timing of the trial, conducted from 5:30 pm to 1:00 am behind closed doors, raises alarming questions about the integrity of the proceedings. With the defense team forcibly excluded, the judge continued the trial with selected witnesses and lawyers of his choosing, transforming the legal process into a farcical display of partiality. The shocking transformation of the prosecution team into state defense counsel further taints the proceedings, compromising the neutrality of the legal process and eroding the essence of a fair trial.

The judge’s decision to allow 18 witnesses to be cross-examined by lawyers not affiliated with Imran Khan’s defense team is another disturbing aspect of this mockery of justice. The secretive nature of the proceedings, combined with the exclusion of the defense team, reveals a blatant disregard for legal ethics and transparency.

The pinnacle of injustice was reached when a questionnaire was handed to Imran Khan at midnight in the absence of his legal team, further illustrating the disregard for procedural norms and legal decorum. Imran Khan’s legal team found itself unjustly sidelined, unable to present their case, cross-examine witnesses, or even deliver final comments. The accused’s basic right to a robust defense was callously disregarded as Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain wielded his authority to stifle any opposition.

Imran Khan’s smile upon receiving the sentence serves as a poignant testament to the absurdity of the trial. The judge’s question about the cipher and subsequent sentencing without due process reflects a predetermined agenda that undermines the credibility of the entire legal system.

The legal fraternity itself has been targeted in this travesty, with lawyers summarily dismissed from proceedings, preventing them from fulfilling their duty to defend their client. The refusal of entry to half of the legal team at Adiala Jail further exemplifies the contempt shown towards the legal community.

In the aftermath of this legal debacle, petitions have been filed in the Islamabad High Court, urging the removal of Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain from the case. The unconstitutional and illegal act of replacing the defense team is a critical issue that demands immediate redress.

As Pakistan bears witness to this dark day in its legal history, it is imperative for the Chief Justice and the judiciary to intervene promptly. The erosion of due legal process in Imran Khan’s cipher case is an affront to justice, and corrective measures must be taken to restore faith in the legal system. The future of justice in Pakistan hangs in the balance, and only swift and decisive action can salvage the integrity of the nation’s legal proceedings.

Article by: Umer Azad