Cipher case: Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood each get 10 years jail term

ISLAMABAD: Former chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi have been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the cipher case.

The case was presided over by Special Court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. The prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi’s team and State Council lawyers presented a compelling case, leading to the conviction of the two prominent political figures.

The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense, with Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s family and Imran Khan’s sisters present during the proceedings.

Justice Zulqarnain, addressing the accused, directed both Khan and Qureshi to approach the rostrum. In response, Imran Khan said, “You are in a hurry, we are going to stay in jail here”.

Justice Zulqarnain emphasised that the prosecution had solid evidence and had successfully proven the crime. A question regarding the whereabouts of the cipher was directed to the former chairman of PTI during the sentencing phase. “I don’t know; the cipher was in my office,” Khan replied to the court’s query.

The verdict was pronounced before Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s statement was recorded, and the justice left the court after delivering the judgment.

In the aftermath of the verdict, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former defense minister Khawaja Asif commented on the exposure of state secrets, stating that such actions were detrimental to national security. Barrister Gohar, representing the PTI, urged party workers to exercise restraint, expressing faith in the Supreme Court and the High Court for justice.

Another PML-N leader and former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal voiced concerns about the impact on Pakistan’s diplomatic relations, while former Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali emphasised the legal validity of the verdict. Former interior minister Rana Sanaullah underscored the importance of not making the cipher public, stating it was detrimental to state interests.