'Stay calm and vote for Khan', PTI tells workers after cypher verdict

Reacting strongle to the 10-year imprisonment handed down to former prime minister Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday, the party declared the cypher trial "a complete disgusting mockery of law".

The party, wary of a repeat of the May 9, 2023 riots, maintained that "such sham trials have their future written in dustbin", and added that "revenge will be taken through vote". Several PTI leaders urged party supporters to 'stay calm and vote for Khan' on February 8.

In a video message released soon after the verdict's announcement, PTI secretary general Omar Ayub Khan asked, "All PTI members and Pakistani's to remain calm and peaceful following the decision by this kangroo court against PM Imran Khan Sahib and Vice Chairman Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureishi sahib,"

The PTI leader asked voters to "concentrate on coming out in large numbers on 8th February, 2024 to ensure a high voter turnout and vote for PM Imran Khan sahib's nominated candidates whose names have been posted on PTIs website and social media channels".

Former prime minister Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan stated that, "Today, justice was trampled upon due to the fear of two names being brought up during the cross-examination," she said, complaining about the judge misbehaving with them.

"If you don't accept this verdict for the sake of the coming generations then mark a 100 per cent attendance on February 8. There is no better revenge than this," she maintained.

Speaking to the media after the announcement of the verdict, Aleema said she needed some time to compose herself before she could address those present. "I had thought they would award him [Imran] the death penalty as Rizwan Abbasi had asked for the same."

Questioning the lawyers present, she asked what efforts have they made to bring change to the justice system in Pakistan. "It was our first experience in such a matter, but you [lawyers] knew what the system is like here."

"About this poor judge Hasnaat, someone was giving him instructions. Entire Pakistan knows that. The drama that he conducted yesterday, he was also mocked over it," said Imran's sister.

"They were trying to make a mockery of a former premier and a former foreign minister, but they themselves have been made a mockery of."

PTI leader Faisal Javed Khan also put up a post on X, formerly Twitter, with the hashtag #StayCalmVoteForKhan.

The cypher case

The case originated from Imran's public display of a paper during a rally in Islamabad on March 27, 2022, claiming it as evidence of an "international conspiracy" before a vote of no-confidence led to his government's ouster.

The FIA initiated its probe into the so-called “cypher-gate” on July 19, 2023, after the previous coalition government, led by the PML-N, announced an official inquiry against Imran and his close associates for violating the OSA.

Imran was arrested on August 5, 2023, following his conviction in the Toshakhana case by a local court of Islamabad. Later, he was also arrested in the cypher case on August 29.

As per the challan papers, both Imran and Qureshi, the former foreign minister, were charged under sections 5 and 9 of the OSA. These provisions entail the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment.