Khan & Qureshi punished for 10-years jail term in cipher case by a special Pakistan court under Official Secrets Act.
The Federal Investigation Agency’s charge sheet in the cipher case accuses Imran of not returning a diplomatic document. PTI claims the document contained a US threat to remove Imran as PM.
The verdict arrives nine days prior to the February 8 general elections, in which PTI participates without an electoral symbol amid a state crackdown. Imran faces a second conviction; previously, he received a three-year jail sentence in the Toshakhana case. While IHC suspended the sentence, a division bench refused to consider Imran’s appeal for suspension of conviction.
The former foreign minister, Qureshi, faces his first conviction. The Special Court Judge, Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, declared the verdict after questioning Khan & Qureshi punished under Section 342 of the Pakistan Penal Code. During the hearing, the court asked Imran about the location of the cipher. He confirmed that he had no knowledge about it and stated that the cipher was stored in his office.
The judge pronounced a 10-year jail term to the duo in the case. After the verdict, the judge exited the courtroom, and Qureshi protested that they hadn’t recorded his statement.
PTI criticizes the trial as fake and expresses intent to appeal in Lahore High Court
PTI officials released a statement on X, strongly criticizing the trial as fake and expressing their support for Imran and Qureshi.
They are encouraging people to vote on February 8 and have faith in the high and Supreme Court. The PTI’s legal representative announced plans to appeal the verdict in the Islamabad High Court, stating that they believe it was an unfair trial.
Party leaders are urging their workers to stay calm and stay focused on the upcoming polling day. They are advising supporters to be patient and not react hastily to the court’s decision, emphasizing that resorting to violence or breaking the law won’t be beneficial. Instead, the PTI intends to persist in their efforts, channeling their energy toward the upcoming polling day to ensure that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nominated candidates secure a significant majority in the assemblies.
History of Khan & Qureshi punished case
Khan and Qureshi, now in jail, have been facing charges since October, insisting they’re not guilty. The IHC declared the government’s jail trial notice as “mistaken” and canceled the proceedings.
In December, they faced a new trial for the cipher case after receiving a second indictment. Imran remained in prison, and a new case caused the delay in Qureshi’s release. Despite legal mistakes, they lifted the trial pause, ensuring new witness statements. On January 18, the special court listened to statements from five witnesses, including Azam Khan, who worried the cipher never came back, raising concerns told to the prime minister.
The caretaker government questioned the trial’s fairness, leading to another hearing where Imran said the cipher was still with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On January 22, the court recorded statements from four witnesses, including Sohail Mehmood and Yousaf Naseem Khokhar. Discrepancies arose as Mehmood said the copy sent to the ex-PM wasn’t returned. Imran questioned the government’s actions with the US, causing ongoing proceedings. There were claims of defense delays, leading to new defense counsel appointments. Imran called the trial a “joke,” and despite hesitations, the proceedings lasted over 13 hours, with limited media coverage and three court reporters present.
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