The Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) has formally challenged the acquittal of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and senior leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the high-profile cipher case, filing an appeal in the Supreme Court. This appeal is directed against the decision rendered by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Previously, the IHC had acquitted both Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cipher case, a decision that has now been contested by the FIA. The IHC had also suspended the sentences of the PTI leaders, further complicating the legal landscape surrounding this contentious issue.
The Islamabad High Court’s division bench, presided over by Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb, delivered the acquittal verdict after reserving their decision for some time.
The court concluded that the charges against Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi were unsubstantiated, thereby nullifying their previous sentences and clearing them of all accusations related to the cipher case.
This development follows an earlier phase of legal proceedings where both PTI leaders had appealed their convictions. These appeals were heard by the IHC, which subsequently reserved judgment before ultimately pronouncing their acquittal.
The cipher case revolves around allegations of the misuse of classified information, a significant legal challenge for the PTI leadership.
Initially, both Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi were convicted and sentenced, prompting their appeals to the Islamabad High Court. The IHC’s decision to acquit them marked a crucial turning point in this legal saga.
In response to the IHC’s verdict, the FIA has moved to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the acquittal. This move highlights the ongoing legal battles and the persistent scrutiny faced by the PTI leadership concerning their handling of classified information.
The Supreme Court’s review of the FIA’s appeal will be a critical juncture in this prolonged legal struggle. The outcome could have significant implications for Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and the broader political landscape in Pakistan.
The case continues to capture national attention, underscoring the complex interplay between legal processes and political dynamics in the country.
This latest appeal by the FIA represents another chapter in the ongoing efforts to hold the PTI leadership accountable for the alleged misuse of classified information, as the judicial process seeks to establish a definitive resolution to the cipher case.
