By Islamabad, Pakistan A court in Pakistan has ordered an open trial of former Prime Minister Imran Khan inside the Adiala Jail premises, about 34 kilometers from the capital, Islamabad. The trial in the alleged leak of state secrets case will begin on Friday and will be open to the public and media.
Background
Khan has been lodged in Adiala Jail since the end of September after being arrested on charges of leaking state secrets. He is accused of sharing a diplomatic cable with his then-Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi that he claims proves his allegation that his removal from office last year was a conspiracy hatched by his political opponents and the Pakistani military in collusion with the US.
Court Order
In his short order, Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain said five family members of Khan and Qureshi will be allowed to attend the proceedings, along with the public and media
Reaction
Khan’s lawyer, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, said he was disappointed with Tuesday’s ruling, saying a trial in jail cannot be open.
“We are definitely not satisfied with the court’s order. Our demand has consistently been that the hearing take place in an open court with full public access to it. But now this hearing is converted into a jail trial. While the court has said the public is allowed access, it is never the case within jail premises,” Chaudhry said.
Next Steps
The trial in the state secrets case is expected to be a lengthy process. It is unclear when a verdict will be reached.
Significance
The trial of Khan is a major political event in Pakistan. Khan is a popular figure in Pakistan, and his supporters have been holding protests demanding his release. The trial is also being closely watched by the international community.
