Imran Khan, Qureshi sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in cipher case

RAWALPINDI – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and party’s vice president Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been awarded 10 years imprisonment, each, in the cipher case.

Special court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain announced the ruling during the hearing held at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

The former prime minister had been accused to making the classified document sent by the Pakistan’s ambassador from Washington public.

Khan is facing second conviction as he was first sentenced to three years in the Toshakhan case. The conviction was later suspended by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) but was later detained in the cipher case. He has also been declared ineligible to contest the upcoming elections.

Both politicians had denied the allegations of misusing the diplomatic cable for the political interests.

The court also observed that Qureshi and Imran were given the questions under 342. However, Qureshi said that they could not record their statement as their lawyers were not present as he has rejected the state defence counsel.

Last week, the judge had decided to appoint state counsel to represent the both suspects in the case. Abdul Rehman and Hazrat Younus were appointed to represent the PTI founding chairman and Qureshi, respectively and cross-examine the prosecution witnesses in the case.