Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the party’s leader, have both been given 10-year sentences in the cypher case.
In front of both PTI leaders, special court judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain made the announcement verbally today at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
The Official Secrets Act of 2023 established the special court. Since the case began last year, Judge Zulqarnain has been holding sessions in Adiala Jail.
Regarding their role in the suspected abuse of diplomatic cables for political objectives, both lawmakers had entered not guilty pleas.
During the hearing, Judge Zulqarnain informed the PTI leaders that their attorneys were assigned state lawyers and would not be attending court before declaring the decision.
The court further noted that the questions under 342 were presented to Qureshi and Imran. Qureshi countered that they cannot record his remarks since his attorneys are not present.
The decision was made one day after the hearing was postponed due to disturbances caused by yelling and tantrums from Imran and Qureshi.
Imran and Qureshi get state solicitors.
The judge opted to assign state counsel to defend the PTI officials for the most recent hearing, which took place on Saturday, as the defence attorneys had once again neglected to show up for their scheduled appearances.
Malik Abdul Rehman and Hazrat Younus were instructed to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses on behalf of Qureshi and the PTI founding chairman, respectively, as state defence attorneys, according to the court ruling.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruled in November of last year that Khan and Qureshi’s prison trial was “null and void” and granted their intra-court appeals in the case, after their challenge to their indictment in the case.
Nevertheless, the trial proceeded when the federal cabinet once again authorised the outline of convening the two lawmakers’ prison trial.
Gohar Ali Khan, Khan’s replacement as PTI chairman, advised party members not to take the law into their own hands following the verdict’s announcement and to not keep silent.
Gohar Ali Khan, Khan’s replacement as PTI chairman, advised party members not to take the law into their own hands following the verdict’s announcement and to not keep silent.
Gohar told reporters at the Islamabad High Court, “An attempt is being made to divert our focus from the elections; everyone will be held accountable on February 8.”
Speaking about the issue, Gohar claimed that legal precedents and the Constitution are not being followed when prosecuting the PTI chairman. He also mentioned that the judge presiding over the case was posing independent questions.
The PTI leader also made a suggestion that the party might file an appeal after stating that it had confidence in the Supreme Court and higher courts.
