Imran Khan gets relief, court cancels 10 years sentence in Cipher case

Imran Khan News: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has again got a big relief. The Islamabad High Court has acquitted Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the Cipher case. Earlier on Monday morning, the District and Sessions Court of Islamabad acquitted Khan and Qureshi, including other leaders, in two cases of vandalism during the 'Haqiqi Azadi' march. Imran Khan, the 71-year-old founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been in jail since August last year after being convicted in the cases.

What is the Cipher case?

This case of Cipher against Imran and Shah Mehmood Qureshi is related to national security. Imran Khan is accused of making personal use of highly confidential information. After being ousted from power, Imran had alleged that the US was behind his ouster. For this, Imran said that the Pak Embassy in Washington had sent him a cable (tape or secret information). Imran Khan had made a controversial diplomatic conversation public for his political benefit. It was called 'Cipher'.

Relief from the court

According to the news of 'Express Tribune' newspaper, the District and Sessions Court of Islamabad acquitted Khan, former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, former Communications Minister Murad Saeed and other PTI leaders in two cases of vandalism during the 'Haqiqi Azadi' march. In May 2022, Khan started a march from Lahore to Islamabad to topple the coalition government led by Shahbaz Sharif. This government was formed under the leadership of Sharif after Khan lost the no-confidence motion.

Cases were registered against 150 people

The rally was part of the PTI's struggle to achieve "Haqiqi Azadi" (real freedom) and free the nation from the "slavery" of the "US-backed" coalition government. At that time, Islamabad police had registered separate cases against 150 people, including Khan, Qureshi and other party leaders, on charges of arson and vandalism in the capital. Earlier this month, a judicial magistrate in Islamabad acquitted Khan in two cases of vandalism during his party's two 'long marches' in 2022.