A special court sentenced former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to 10 years in jail in a cipher case, around a week before the upcoming elections.

The cricketer-turned-politician was found guilty of leaking state secrets by waving cipher at one of his public rally on March 27, 2022.

Cipher Case Timeline

In March 2022, PTI founder said foreign conspiracy was hatched against his government as he waved a document referring to diplomatic correspondence sent by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington to Islamabad.

On April 10, 2022, Khan was voted out of office in a no confidence motion.

In late April, the diplomatic cable related to US envoy went missing.

On March 7, 2022, a case was registered to find the missing documents case.

Later that month, Imran Khan, and other his close aides Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and Asad Umar were booked in missing cipher case.

In August this year, PTI vice president Shah Mehmood Qureshi was arrested in the same case

On August 15, 2023, PTI founder Imran Khan arrested in jail 

Former Prime Minister was then shifted from Attock Jail to Adiala jail on his plea

Later on September 30, 2023, a challan was presented by FIA in case, and 27 witnesses, including Azam Khan recorded testimony against PTI leader.

On 23 October 2023, Khan and Qureshi were charged in the high profile case.

On October 27, official witnesses were summoned, but there was no hearing due to appeal in court.

Witnesses were then produced but their statements could not be recorded due to issues on October, 31, 2023.

The special court recorded statements of three witnesses and examined them on November 7, 2023.

In mid-Novembers, two witnesses were recorded and one was cross-examined.

Later on November 21, 2023 Islamabad High Court allowed Imran Khan’s intra-court appeal.

On 13 December 2023, PTI chief and Mr Qureshi were indicted for second time under 3 different charges.

Later that month, the Supreme Court granted bail to Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi on surety bonds, but the duo remains in jail.

In late January 2024, a special court amplified hearing and court proceedings continued for more than 12 hours on January 29, 2024.

On Jan 27, 2024, a state counsel was appointed for Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the case.

On January 30, 2024 PTI founder and his clode aide Qureshi were sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Cipher case: Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi sentenced to ten years in jail