Imran Khan, Ex-PM of Pakistan, Behind Bars in State Secrets Case Amidst Impending Elections.

Cricket General

Imran Khan, Ex-PM of Pakistan, Behind Bars in State Secrets Case Amidst Impending Elections.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been handed a 10-year jail sentence after being accused of leaking state secrets. The case revolves around allegations of disclosing sensitive information.

Imran Khan, ousted as Prime Minister in 2022, is currently serving a three-year jail term for corruption charges. He dismisses all accusations as politically motivated. 

The recent conviction under the secrets act comes just a week before the general elections, where he is barred from standing.

Former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, also from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, received a 10-year prison sentence in the same case. Both are held in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

The case, known as the cipher case, revolves around the alleged leaking of secret diplomatic correspondence during Khan's tenure as prime minister. The incident occurred at a rally in March 2022, a month before his removal from power in a vote of no confidence.

Khan, a former cricketer, waved a paper on stage, claiming it revealed a foreign conspiracy against him. The document suggested forgiveness if he was removed from power, without specifying the country. 

The prosecution argues that Khan's actions constituted leaking classified information and damaging diplomatic relations, potentially leading to life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Imran Khan has been in Adiala jail since August, and the trial, which international media couldn't attend, recently saw a push for expedited proceedings. The PTI plans to challenge the court ruling, labeling it as illegal.

With the general election scheduled for 8 February, there are allegations that PTI is facing obstacles in campaigning, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding political situation.