The Islamabad High Court has acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the Cipher Case.
Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Amir Farooq delivered a brief verdict on Monday. The bench also comprised Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb.
The central leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was present in the Islamabad High Court during the verdict. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Ali Muhammad Khan, Faisal Javed, and Shandana Gulzar attended the court session.
Furthermore, the sisters of the PTI founder, along with Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s wife and daughters, were also present in the courtroom.
Following the IHC’s verdict, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will now challenge it in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Despite the acquittal, both Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi are not expected to be released from prison. Imran Khan is serving a sentence in the Iddat case, while Qureshi remains in custody due to his arrest related to the May 9 cases.
In January, a special court established under the Official Secrets Act sentenced both Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi to 10 years in prison each.
The cipher case revolves around a diplomatic document that, according to the FIA’s charge sheet, former Prime Minister Imran Khan failed to return. Imran has consistently claimed that this document contained a threat from the US to overthrow his government.
