ISLAMABAD: The special court hearing the cypher case has awarded Pakistan’s former prime minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi 10 years imprisonment. According to the local media, the verdict was announced by special court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain during the hearing held at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The short verbal decision was announced soon following recording the statements of the two accused under Section 342 during the hearing today.
Earlier, questionnaires were also prepared to record the accused statements as the court resumed the hearing of the case. On the other hand, the PTI had announced to move the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday to challenge the appointment of state defence lawyer for the two accused in the cipher case, pleading it to declare the special court’s January 26 orders.
Earlier on Monday, a lengthy hearing of the case was held by the special court in Adiala jail, Rawalpindi during which cross-examination of eleven witnesses was completed.
During the hearing conducted by the special court judge, a total of twenty five witnesses were presented before the special court.
During the last hearing on Saturday, the special court judge decided to appoint state counsel for representing the two accused.
Cipher Case Background
The Cipher case originated from PTI founder’s public display of a paper during a public gathering in Islamabad on March 27, 2022, claiming it as evidence of a “global conspiracy” before a vote of no-confidence led to his government’s dismissal.
The FIA had initiated its investigation into the “cypher-gate” on July 19, 2023, following the former government of Pakistan announced an official probe against Imran and his close associates for violating the OSA.
More to be followed….
