📷 Image Credits: The Times of India
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, along with senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, have been sentenced to 10 years in jail in the cypher case, just weeks before the upcoming general elections. The case, involving leaking state secrets, has barred Khan from participating in the elections scheduled for February 8, 2024. The colonial-era Official Secrets Act was invoked in the trial, where Khan and Qureshi were found guilty. The ruling is set to be challenged by their party, PTI.
The charges against Imran Khan stem from the public disclosure of a classified cable, known as a cipher, sent by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington in 2022. The indictment was made in October 2023, following Khan’s removal as prime minister in April 2022. Despite Khan’s claims of a US-led conspiracy for his ouster, US officials have denied any involvement.
A report by The Intercept in August 2023 revealed a conversation between Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US and a US government official, suggesting US influence in Khan’s removal. The Intercept’s publication raised suspicions about the motives behind Khan’s downfall and the involvement of international actors in Pakistani politics.
Imran Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, faces a plethora of legal challenges, with over 150 cases pending against him. His convictions range from not declaring assets to receiving land as bribes. Despite his disqualification from public office for five years due to the Toshakhana case, Khan remains a significant political figure with a loyal grassroots following.
As the legal battle continues, Khan’s presence in the political landscape of Pakistan remains contentious. Stay updated on the latest developments as HeadlineFly.com brings you the unfolding story of Imran Khan’s legal woes and its implications on Pakistani politics.
