Cipher case: Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood sentenced to 10 years in jail

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, have been sentenced to 10 years in jail in the cipher case.

Special court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain announced the verdict at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi today.

The cipher case revolves to a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency’s charge sheet alleges was never returned by Imran Khan.

The PTI alleges that the document (cipher) contained a threat a regime change operation from the United States to oust Imran as prime minister.

Both politicians had pleaded not guilty to their involvement in the offence related to the alleged misuse of diplomatic cable for political purposes.

The verdict comes nine days before the February 8 general elections, which the PTI is contesting amid a state crackdown and without an electoral symbol.

The verdict in cipher case was announced soon after judge recorded Imran Khan statement under Section 342. Qureshi protested that his statement was not recorded.

Imran Khan in his Sec. 342 statement said that the cipher was in the Prime Minister Office and it was the responsibility of his principal secretary and military secretary for keeping cipher safe, adding that the paper he waved at the PTI’s Islamabad rally was a ‘paraphrase’ copy of the cipher. 

Earlier, the court appointed state counsel to represent the PTI leaders, as the key defence lawyers of the accused again failed to appear before the court.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) posted a statement on X, “Pakistan stands with Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who defended Pakistan and stood for Haqeeqi Azadi. No such sham trial can change what happened in March- April 2022, on the orders of Donald Lu.”

PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan urged party workers to remain calm and urged them not to take the law into their hands over the verdict.

“An effort is being made to shift our focus from the elections, everyone will be held accountable on February 8,” Gohar told journalists at the Islamabad High Court.