Cipher Case: Islamabad High Court Issues Written Verdict on Imran Khan & Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s Acquittal
The Islamabad High Court has officially released the written verdict on the acquittal of Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the high-profile Cipher Case.
A two-member bench comprising former Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb had announced the decision, declaring that the trial was conducted hastily and lacked due process. The court found that the prosecution failed entirely to prove its case.
Major Legal Flaws in the Trial
According to the detailed judgment, several critical legal flaws were observed in the proceedings. When the defendants’ lawyers requested an adjournment, the court appointed a government lawyer, but he was given only a single day to prepare. The judgment also highlighted that the lawyer’s cross-examination reflected inexperience and insufficient preparation.
The court further stated that even if the cross-examination is disregarded, the prosecution’s evidence remains insufficient to establish the allegations. On these grounds, the Islamabad High Court upheld the acquittal of Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the Cipher Case