Imran claims ‘match fixed’ in cipher case

Calls for summoning Najam Sethi and asking him how did he know that Imran will be sentenced before Feb 5

RAWALPINDI:

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has raised serious concerns about the ongoing cipher case against him, declaring it a "fixed match" where the judge, jury, and prosecution seem to be on the same page.

Match-fixing is a term used in cricket to describe the act of arranging the outcome of a match prior to it being played, but in this case Imran was referring to the cipher case.

Addressing the media during an informal meeting at the Adiala Jail where he is incarcerated, Imran pointed fingers at Najam Sethi, stating that the prominent journalist had predicted his sentencing before Feb 5.

"Everyone knows where he got this information from… the court should call him and ask him from where he got this piece of information," Imran urged.

The former PM insisted that the crackdown against the PTI was compromising the basic right of the people to live freely, claiming that human rights were being violated in the country.

Also read: State counsels appointed for Imran, Qureshi in cypher case

He asserted that his legal team would be actively contesting the case from Monday (tomorrow), despite their absence in court on Saturday.

“Our lawyers are contesting elections, that’s why they could not appear in court today,” he explained.
"The judge, jury, and prosecution are all one in this case. This match is fixed," Imran declared.

He continued to question Sethi's sources, urging the court to summon him for clarification.

Imran expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing trial while comparing it to the relief given to his political rival, Nawaz Sharif.

"My trial is proceeding daily, and Nawaz Sharif is getting relief. Everyone is lying about the level-playing field being provided to my party," Imran stated.

Criticising Nawaz’s alleged alliance with “Vigo Dala”, a term referring to double cabin vehicles associated with security agencies and enforced disappearances, Imran claimed that it played a role in dividing the PTI in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa by "updating the software".

In response to a journalist's question about resolving issues through President Arif Alvi, Imran dismissed the idea, saying: "Who listens to the president?"