In a significant turn of events, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has acquitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case. The decision came on today during the hearing of appeals filed by the two political figures against their previous conviction in the case.
The bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb delivered the acquittal, overturning the earlier ruling against Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The case, which was prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act, had resulted in both Imran Khan and Qureshi receiving hefty 10-year jail sentences each from a special court.
The cipher case revolves around a diplomatic document, the non-return of which was alleged by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in its charge sheet against Imran Khan. The document, according to the prosecution, was never returned by then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan had consistently maintained that the document contained a threat from the United States aimed at destabilizing his government.
The trial took a controversial turn when Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain appointed a state counsel for Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi. This move stirred debates over the fairness and impartiality of the proceedings, raising concerns about due process.
The acquittal by the IHC has brought relief to Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, both prominent figures in Pakistani politics. The decision is likely to have broader implications on the political landscape, potentially impacting the dynamics between the government and the opposition.
Following their acquittal, Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed gratitude for the court’s decision and reiterated their commitment to serving the nation. The ruling marks a significant development in a case that had sparked intense scrutiny and debate within Pakistan’s political circles.