Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his ex-foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, have been sentenced to 10 years in jail for violating the nation’s Official Secrets Act. The charges stem from the public disclosure of a diplomatic cable during Imran Khan’s tenure. The special court judge, Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain, issued the verdict, and Imran Khan has the option to appeal in a higher court.
The case revolves around allegations that Imran Khan shared the contents of a confidential cable sent by the Pakistani ambassador in Washington to the government in Islamabad. Imran Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), labeled the decision a “sham case” and expressed intention to challenge it, emphasizing that it was a mockery and disregard of the law.
The PTI declared solidarity with Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, asserting that they stood for the truth and the genuine freedom of Pakistan. They called for public participation in the upcoming general elections on February 8 and expressed confidence in the eventual overturning of the sentence in the appeal stage.
The Cipher Case is one of numerous legal challenges Imran Khan faces, with over 150 cases against him, including charges ranging from contempt of court to terrorism. In this particular case, Imran Khan is accused of revealing a classified cable at a rally after being ousted from power. The document, said to be diplomatic correspondence, allegedly highlighted threats against him and suggested a conspiracy involving the U.S., the Pakistani military, and the government.
During the trial, concerns were raised about the possibility of a death sentence for treason, but Imran Khan maintained his innocence, stating that he did not disclose the exact contents of the cable. Shah Mahmood Qureshi was accused of manipulating the contents of a diplomatic cable for political advantage.
The special court initiated a fresh trial at the Adiala district jail last month after both Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were indicted for a second time in December. Earlier indictments in October had been deemed “erroneous” by the Islamabad High Court, leading to a retrial.
Imran Khan, taking to social media, criticized the trial as a predetermined “fixed match” influenced by external factors. He highlighted the Islamabad High Court’s previous nullification of the case, emphasizing that it had been declared null and void twice due to constitutional and legal violations. The Supreme Court had also granted bail to Imran Khan in this case, citing lies, bullying, conspiracy, and deceit as the basis for the charges. The caretaker federal government challenged the Islamabad High Court’s decision, seeking a reversal and arguing that the court did not properly evaluate the facts of the case.
