Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi were sentenced to ten years in prison under the Official Secrets Act in the cipher case. The existing chairman, Barrister Gohar, has urged PTI workers to stay calm and focus on elections after Imran and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi Sentenced to Ten Years in Cipher Case Trial
After listening, Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain delivered a brief verdict, sentencing both leaders to ten years in prison. The court proceedings spanned from 9 AM to 11 PM yesterday, with Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi not granted permission for personal appearance in court for the hearing. The court conducted the proceedings through government lawyers. While Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi had sought permission for self-representation in court, the court decided to conclude the right to personal representation. Protests from Imran Khan’s legal team and family erupted in response to this decision. On the other hand, the government lawyers from Imran Khan’s side challenged the transparency of the trial in the Islamabad High Court.
Imran Khan’s Statement on Article 342
In the court, Imran Khan recorded this statement on Article 342:
Cipher was in the Prime Minister’s office. The responsibility for security lies with the military secretary, principal secretary, and protocol secretary, who oversee the security of the Prime Minister’s House. During my entire three and a half years in office, this is the only document that went missing from the Prime Minister’s office.
Upon Cipher going missing, I instructed the military secretary to conduct an inquiry. It was the only occasion when I expressed dissatisfaction with the military secretary. One of my ADCs informed me that Cipher had stolen General Bajwa’s memo. After the inquiry, the military secretary reported that no leads were found regarding Cipher. The elected Prime Minister was ousted through a conspiracy. I, Chief General Bajwa, and U.S. Secretary of State Donald Lu were involved in the conspiracy.
My government was toppled in October 2021 when General Bajwa replaced ISI Chief General Faiz. General Bajwa conspired with Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif because they had promised him an extension in his tenure. Hussain Haqqani was hired in the U.S. for General Bajwa’s lobbying. Hussain Haqqani was paid $35,000. In April, Hussain Haqqani tweeted that Imran Khan is anti-America, while General Bajwa is pro-America. General Bajwa used ISI to force our allies to leave PTI and join PML-N, saying their future is with the Noon League. Our allies were coerced into leaving PTI, and ISI said their future lies with the Noon League. I met General Bajwa to discuss this conspiracy, and he denied any involvement.”
Imran Khan’s Message on the Cipher Case
My fellow Pakistanis! By now, you have surely heard from my lawyers about how the trial of fabricated cases, including Cipher, is progressing, challenging constitutional requirements and legal norms.
The Islamabad High Court has twice declared Cipher non-existent, void from the beginning, due to constitutional and legal violations. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has granted bail in this case, acknowledging that the entire structure of this case is built on lies, deceit, conspiracy, and falsehood.
Now, even after the central witnesses’ statements yielded nothing against both Shah Mahmood Qureshi and me, the conspirators are anxious and want to conclude it without completing the legal rules and procedures.
This is not a trial; rather, it is a fixed match whose outcome the London Plan architects and their patrons had already decided. Hence, I am aware of the decision of this case in advance.
These people want to ignite your passion by giving me a severe sentence in this case so that you hit the streets in protest. Then, by adding their unknown elements, they plan to carry out a new 9 May style false flag operation, attempting to achieve results not obtained from the first false flag operation. Secondly, they want you to remain despondent and disheartened, sitting at home on February 8.
My fellow Pakistanis! This is your struggle, and this is your test to take revenge for every injustice while living peacefully. You have to take revenge with your votes on February 8. For the past 8 months, innocent Pakistanis in jails have only get justice and freedom through your votes. I believe you will, on Election Day, come out in millions, using your vote to defeat London Plan conspirators. I have faith that February 8 will be our day of victory. Insha’Allah.”
Barrister Gohar Chairman of Pakistan Tahreek Insaf Response
Stay calm and focused on elections,” urged Barrister Gohar after Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi received 10-year sentences.
In a recent social media post, he lamented the blatant injustice witnessed in Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan faces fabricated cases with court proceedings deviating from legal principles. Urging the Chief Justice to take notice, he highlighted the need for transparency and maintaining justice standards in sensitive cases. As the popular political leader seeks justice, they plan to challenge the judicial proceedings in the Supreme Court, expecting prompt and impartial handling from the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court. Emphasizing divine support, he trusts that the nation’s leader’s honor will remain intact, Insha’Allah.
Rana Sna Ullah President Muslim League (N) Punjab’s Response
Punishment is the consequence of playing with country, as PTI’s founder had stated that we must play with country. Making Cipher public was deemed detrimental to state interests; hence, it could not be disclosed. The circulation of sensitive documents in public caused harm to state affairs. A sentence has been issued under the judicial process. Fortunately, he has the option to appeal to the Supreme Court. Unlike Nawaz Sharif, who received a direct sentence from the Supreme Court, Nawaz Sharif did not have the right to appeal and review.
Barrister Taimur Malik’s Response
Barrister Taimur Malik emphasized the urgency of hearing our Cypher trial repetition today before the Chief Justice. A subordinate court judge must not bulldoze law, procedure, and constitution; justice should prevail in Pakistan’s crucial case.
He further added that this ten-year sentence won’t stand for ten days before the appellate courts. No one has witnessed such blatant disdain for the law and the constitution before. The unlawful State Counsel hurriedly cross-examined 18 prosecution witnesses on Saturday and continued till midnight yesterday, making it a case study of future miscarriage of justice.
Atif Touqeer’s Response
In a social media post, a famous writer, Atif Touqeer, said of the cipher case court decision, “The question is whether the country is presenting the outlook of a non-functional state, where no institution has the trust of the public. If a court gives a sentence for a crime, no one accepts it; if it doesn’t, still, no one accepts it. Therefore, perception matters more than reality. In the future, Imran Khan might face a fate similar to that of Nawaz Sharif, Yousaf Raza Gillani, and other politicians in Pakistan. The only difference is that, despite that, Imran Khan or the PTI may not find support to embrace democratic norms. Those applauding today may regret tomorrow, and those mourning today may applaud tomorrow. This rollercoaster won’t spare our lives.
Hussain Haqqani’s Response
In his statement, Imran Khan accused Haqqani in the cipher case, but upon Imran Khan’s sentencing, he responded with strong disagreement, expressing no surprise at the condemnation he received. If only he and his followers, along with respected figures like Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, could recognize atrocities as atrocities and embrace the foundation of politics instead of misconstruing reconciliation.
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