IHC acquits Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi in cipher case

Islamabad: In a major development,  Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday acquitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in cipher case.

 A IHC division bench led by Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and comprising Justice Gull Hassan Aurangzeb announced the verdict after conclusion of the arguments of the both sides in the cipher case.

The police made a barrier just in front of the rostrum as the judges returned to the courtroom.

The days before the general elections, Imran Khan and Qureshi were awarded 10-year sentence in jail in the cipher case.

The state authorities had accused Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi of illegally retaining and communicating a classified diplomatic cable sent earlier by the Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.

Imran Khan while addressing a rally in Islamabad had claimed that the US was behind the conspiracy against his government. He had said that the US was behind his oust from the power.

Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, both facing a 10-year jail term in the cipher case, are not anticipated to be released any time soon. Imran's incarceration in the Iddat case and Qureshi's recent arrest on May 9 further complicate their release prospects.

The case, governed by the Official Secrets Act, saw a special court pronouncing the aforementioned sentences in January. Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain had appointed a state counsel for the defendants.

Initially indicted in October, both former Prime Minister Imran and Qureshi pleaded not guilty. However, the proceedings faced a setback when the Islamabad High Court invalidated the government's notification for a jail trial, prompting a fresh start in December at Adiala district jail.

Following legal maneuvers, the special court resumed its proceedings in January this year. The witness statements including those of former principal secretary Azam Khan and ex-foreign secretary Sohail Mehmood were recorded, shedding light on the alleged mishandling of the diplomatic document.

As the case progressed, the questions arose regarding the absence of purported threats in the diplomatic cable, leading to further scrutiny of government actions.

Despite these developments, Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi remain ensnared in legal battles, with their release uncertain amidst ongoing judicial proceedings.

Despite the Supreme Court's approval of post-arrest bails for Imran and Qureshi on December 22, their expected release was stopped. Qureshi faced re-arrest in a separate case on May 9, prolonging his detention.

(Details to follow)