PTI leaders slam verdict; appeal for calm

Reacting to the 10-year imprisonment handed down to former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) appealed to it workers to remain calm and focus on February 8 elections.

In their statements and video messages as well as social media posts, Several PTI leaders criticised the cipher trial by special court inside the Adiala Jail, terming it a “mockery of the law”. PTI Chairman Gauhar Khan said that the decision would not hold in the high court.

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 that led to his government’s ouster.

PTI founder Imran and senior party leader Qureshi, who was the foreign minister at that time, were charged under sections 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act (OSA). On Tuesday, each of the two accused were awarded 10 years imprisonment.

“A complete disgusting mockery of law in this absolutely ridiculous trial,” the PTI said on its X account, following the announcement of the verdict. “Such sham trials have their future written in dustbin,” it added it a tweet on the social media platform.

Speaking after the verdict, Imran’s sister Aleema Khan told reporters that justice had been trampled upon by this verdict. “They were trying to make a mockery of a former premier and a former foreign minister, but they have been made a mockery of themselves.”

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”.

She said that she had feared the death penalty in the case as prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi had asked for it. Her comments were echoed by PTI Chairman Gauhar Khan. He said that he was also ready for the announcement of the capital punishment.

Read: Imran, Qureshi sentenced to 10-year imprisonment in cypher case

“Our workers are peaceful,” Khan said, speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The entire nation is requested to have patience and tolerance. If there was a death sentence, the high court will abolish it. He announced that the decision would be challenged in the IHC.

“The judge conducted the cipher case outside the Constitution and the law. Workers should have patience, pay attention to the election, have faith in the judiciary and you will get relief,” he said, adding a peaceful protest would be held against the verdict.

In a video message, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan asked, “All PTI members and the Pakistanis to remain calm and peaceful following the decision” against Imran and Qureishi. The emphasised that the PTI had always followed the principle of rule of law.

PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Ali Amin Gandapur said that Imran and Qureshi had been treated unfairly through an illegal decision. The PTI and the entire nation “strongly reject” this decision. “I appeal to the people to remain peaceful as per the instructions given by the founder chairman.”

“Imran Khan is in the prayers of the entire nation. May Almighty Allah keep Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood safe and sound. God willing, this decision will be suspended soon -- God willing, truth and truth will win!” PTI leader Faisal Javed Khan wrote on X.

Other political leaders offered mixed reaction to the judgment. Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Sirajul Haq expressed sorrow over the punishment handed down to Imran and Qureshi. Haq said that the case should have been heard in an open court. He demanded an impartial commission on the cipher case.

However, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz told an election rally in Haroonabad that Imran Khan should be treated like terrorists. “Does any political party train its workers in terrorism? Does it train them for attacks on security installations,” she asked.