Major Boost for PTI#1: IHC Acquits Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Cipher Case!

Key Developments

• Acquittal: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted PTI founder Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case.
• Immediate Release Ordered: The court ordered their immediate release unless they are held in other cases.
• Continued Incarceration: Despite the acquittal, both leaders remain in prison due to other ongoing cases.

Court Ruling

• Judges Involved: The verdict was announced by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.
• Official Statement: The court’s order stated that both Imran and Qureshi “shall be released forthwith, if not incarcerated in any other case.”

Background on Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi

• Previous Sentences: Both leaders were previously sentenced to 10 years in jail by a special court under the Official Secrets Act.
• Other Cases:
• Imran Khan has been convicted in the Iddat case and the Toshakhana case.
• Shah Mahmood Qureshi was arrested in connection with cases from May 9.

The Cipher Case

• Nature of the Case: The cipher case involves a diplomatic document that was allegedly not returned by Imran Khan, who claimed it contained a threat from the US to overthrow his government.
• FIA Charge Sheet: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) accused Imran Khan of failing to return the cipher document.

Reactions to the Acquittal

• Opposition Leader’s Response: Omar Ayub, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, hailed the verdict and called for the immediate release of both leaders.
• PTI Spokesperson’s Statement: PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan celebrated the court’s decision, calling it a significant victory for the party and its leadership.
• Comments from PTI Leaders:
• Barrister Gohar Ali Khan praised the verdict, emphasizing the justice system’s role in upholding fairness.
• Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz described the verdict as a “wave of fresh air.”
• PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar reiterated that the cipher case was false and unjust.

Legal and Political Implications

• Imran’s Counsel’s View: Barrister Salman Safdar stated that the state failed to prove its case, and praised the judges for their verdict.
• PTI’s Official Request: The party requested the judiciary to expedite the resolution of other false cases against political prisoners.

Government’s Perspective

• Spokesperson’s Statement: Government spokesperson Barrister Aqeel Malik emphasized the seriousness of national security issues and suggested that the cipher case should have been retried considering its sensitivity.

Case History

• Timeline of Events:
• Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were first indicted in October.
• The special court proceedings began anew in December.
• The Supreme Court approved post-arrest bails for both leaders in December.
• Various witnesses, including former principal secretary Azam Khan and ex-foreign secretary Sohail Mehmood, testified in January.
• Supreme Court Involvement: The caretaker government approached the Supreme Court challenging the IHC’s earlier verdict.

Related Developments

• Iddat Case Transfer: The IHC transferred the Iddat case to a different judge following a request from the complainant.

Conclusion

The Islamabad High Court’s decision to acquit Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case marks a significant development for PTI. Despite their continued incarceration due to other cases, the acquittal is seen as a major victory for the party and its leadership. The court’s ruling has sparked various reactions, highlighting the political and legal complexities surrounding the case.

(Sources: Dawn.com, Islamabad High Court, Federal Investigation Agency)

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