IHC is set to hear appeals against verdict in Cypher case

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is set to hear appeals from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder and party vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi regarding the verdict in the Cypher case. The court is expected to reserve its judgment after the completion of arguments. Additionally, the prosecution has filed various applications to present the statement of Donald Lu as evidence.

In a significant development, the IHC previously declared the in-camera proceedings of the Cypher case null and void.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and senior PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi have been sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly leaking state secrets, a case known as the Cypher case. This sentencing comes less than two weeks before the general elections, scheduled for February 8. Imran Khan, who is already serving a three-year jail term for a corruption case, has been barred from participating in the elections.

A spokesperson for the PTI stated that Khan and Qureshi were charged under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act in a closed-door trial, and the ruling would be challenged.