The Supreme Court of Pakistan granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's founder and Vice Chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in the cipher case, directing both leaders to submit Rs1 million each as surety bonds. A three-member bench, led by acting Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, oversaw the proceedings.

Earlier, the special court under the Official Secrets Act indicted both Qureshi and the PTI founder on Dec 13. This followed the Islamabad High Court's annulment of their jail trial, prompting their plea of not guilty in relation to an alleged misuse of diplomatic cable for political gain.

During prior sessions, the court addressed a petition challenging the Oct 23 indictment of the two politicians. Justice Masood highlighted the nullification of the previous indictment by the IHC on Nov 21, rendering the case invalid and necessitating a fresh trial.

Former PM's counsel Hamid Khan contended that the trial was based on the prior charge sheet. However, Justice Masood suggested challenging the new indictment separately in the high court.

Amidst this, the court postponed discussions on the plea against the indictment, focusing on the bail petitions instead.

Earlier decisions by a special court had determined that the cipher case trial involving Qureshi and the former PM would be held confidentially in Adiala Jail. Prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi argued for an in-camera trial as per Section 14 of the Official Secrets Act, emphasizing the sensitive nature of the case.

Qureshi's counsel, Ali Bukhari, had contested the jail trial and sought an open trial, although the court ultimately ordered the proceedings to be held confidentially, following the prosecutor's request.

The court had framed charges against the former PTI chairman and Qureshi a day prior, with the trial commencing to record witness statements. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had urged the court to conduct the cipher case proceedings confidentially, with notices issued to the ex-PTI chairman and Qureshi's legal representatives for the hearing.