Court Annuls Conviction of Imran Khan and Qureshi in Cipher Case

In a significant development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday overturned the convictions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the controversial cipher case. The case involved allegations of misusing and misplacing a classified diplomatic document.

The verdict was delivered by a two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb. This decision comes as a major relief for the embattled PTI, whose leadership has faced numerous legal challenges since Imran Khan’s ouster as prime minister in April 2022.

The cipher case revolved around accusations that Khan had disclosed the contents of a secret cable sent by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington to Islamabad. This incident first came to light in March 2022, when Khan, addressing a public rally, waved a letter he claimed was a cipher from a foreign nation conspiring with his political rivals to overthrow his government.

Despite securing relief in this case, Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi remain behind bars due to their involvement in other cases, including the May 9 and illegal marriage cases.

Khan has been incarcerated since August last year following his conviction in the Toshakhana case, among other charges.

The IHC’s decision comes shortly after Khan’s bail was approved in the £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) settlement reference on May 15. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan hailed the IHC’s verdict, describing the cipher case as “baseless and unfounded.” He expressed optimism that Khan would soon be released and that all politically motivated cases against the PTI leadership would be dismissed.

In response to the verdict, PTI-backed lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly celebrated by chanting slogans and thumping desks in support of their party’s founder. The cipher controversy initially emerged in March 2022, leading to heightened political tensions and allegations of foreign interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs.

Khan had accused the United States, specifically naming Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs Donald Lu, of conspiring against him. The National Security Committee (NSC) later reviewed the matter, issuing a strong demarche to the US, although it found no evidence of a foreign conspiracy in the cable.

Despite these developments, audio leaks involving Khan and his associates discussing the US cipher further fueled public and political controversy. The IHC’s decision to annul the convictions marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles faced by the PTI leadership, highlighting the intricate interplay of politics and judiciary in Pakistan.