A special court in Pakistan has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to a decade in prison each. The case, known as the cipher case, revolves around allegations that Khan did not return a diplomatic document, which was seen as containing threats from the United States towards his tenure as prime minister.
Implications for Upcoming Elections
This ruling comes at a pivotal moment, just nine days ahead of the general elections scheduled for February 8. Both Khan and Qureshi have been incarcerated during the election campaign.
Previously, Khan’s candidacy was rejected, while Qureshi was allowed to run for a seat. With their convictions, they’re now barred from contesting in elections for five years.
Background and Legal Proceedings
This is not Khan’s first legal challenge. He was previously convicted in the Toshakhana case and sentenced to three years in jail, a sentence that was suspended but then upheld after a failed petition for suspension. This is, however, Qureshi’s first conviction.
The court, presided over by Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, handed down the verdict after issuing a questionnaire to both men under the local criminal code. Although Khan answered questions regarding the cipher’s location, stating uncertainty, the verdict was still delivered. Qureshi protested, claiming his statement went unrecorded.
PTI’s Reaction and Vow to Fight Back
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party condemned the trial as a “sham” and voiced their intention to appeal the decision. PTI officials encouraged public support and called for calm, urging voters to respond at the polls. Party leaders promised to challenge the verdict in higher courts and expressed confidence in overturning the decision.
Governmental and Legal Perspectives
In contrast, former interior minister Rana Sanaullah of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) deemed the sentence justified, emphasizing the gravity of misusing classified documents. Legal experts and PML-N officials highlighted the importance of the case in terms of national security and the judicial process.
Case Timeline and Developments
Khan and Qureshi were originally indicted last October, pleaded not guilty, and have faced legal hurdles since. Their trial was reinitiated last month after some procedural issues. The details of the case include various testimonies from witnesses who claim the diplomatic document was not returned. Despite this, Khan has maintained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still had the document.
The case has gone through several stages, with the prosecution accusing the defense of stalling tactics, and the appointment of defense counsel for the PTI leaders amid campaign responsibilities.
As the political drama unfolds, PTI representatives are preparing to appeal the ruling, while their opponents view the sentencing as a win for the state’s interests. The case raises critical questions about national security, political maneuvering, and judicial accountability in Pakistan.
