As former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi are sentenced to 10-year imprisonment in the cipher case, we look back at when the case started and where and what the turning points in it were.
October 5, 2022: An inquiry into the disappearance of the diplomatic cable ("cipher") begins.
August 15, 2023: Following an FIA investigation, a case is registered against former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
August 16, 29, 2023: Qureshi and Khan are arrested by the FIA. The first hearing in the FIA special court takes place on August 30th.
Till October 17, the special court heard the case a total of five times.
October 23, 2023: The federal government approves the establishment of a special court under the Official Secrets Act. Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain starts hearing in Adiala Jail.
November 21, 2023: The Islamabad High Court declares the in-camera trial null and void due to an intra-court appeal from Imran Khan's lawyers.
December 4-13, 2023: Copies of the case are distributed to the accused, and formal charges are filed. The prosecution requests an in-camera trial, and witness testimonies begin.
December 20, 25, 2023: The testimonies of 10 and 12 witnesses were recorded on December 20, 25. Among those who recorded their statements on December 25 were former prime minister's principal secretary Azam Khan, former foreign secretary Sohail Mehmood, and former ambassador Asad Majeed.
December 26, 2023: The defence lawyers filed six different applications, including one for re-recording of witnesses' statements.
December 29, 2023: The Islamabad High Court issues a stay order, temporarily stalling proceedings until January 11. No action could be taken on January 3 and January 8 due to the stay order.
January 12, 2024: The high court declares court proceedings after December 14 null and void. Witness testimonies resume.
The prosecution recorded the statements of four witnesses on January 15, six on January 16, five witnesses, including former principal secretary Azam Khan, on January 18, and four witnesses on January 22, including former foreign secretary Sohail Mehmood, former interior secretary and complainant Yousuf Naseem Khokhar.
January 23-24, 2024: The testimonies of key officials, including the current Interior Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani and former ambassador Asad Majeed, are recorded. Cross-examination of witnesses begins.
January 26-27, 2024: Due to the defense lawyers' absence, the court terminates their right to cross-examine and appoints public lawyers for the accused. Khan expresses anger and throws the case file in court.
January 29-30, 2024: Cross-examination by government lawyers continues. On January 30th, the court pronounces the verdict, sentencing Khan and Qureshi to 10 years imprisonment each.
Key Turning Points:
- The Islamabad High Court's intervention on November 21st: This led to a restart of the trial and potentially delayed the proceedings.
- The issuance of the restraining order on December 29th: This caused another temporary halt and added uncertainty to the timeline.
- The termination of the defense lawyers' cross-examination rights on January 26th: This was a significant development and potentially impacted the defense's strategy.
- The final verdict on January 30th: This marks the culmination of the case and brings closure to the legal proceedings.
Note: This is a summary of the information provided. More details and insights may be available in the original news reports.
