Imran Khan - vice-chairman of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Cipher Case

 

It concerns his appearance at a rally in March 2022, a month before the former cricketer was removed from power in a parliamentary vote of no confidence. Imran Khan appeared on stage, waving a piece of paper that he claimed revealed a foreign conspiracy against him.

He stated that "all will be forgiven if Imran Khan is removed from power". He did not name the country but was later harshly critical of the United States. The prosecution claimed that the former Prime Minister's actions amounted to leaking a classified document and jeopardizing diplomatic relations. The latter charge can result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

• The cricketer and former Prime Minister is dividing Pakistan.
• The Pakistan army's former arch-rival returns.
• Friend to Foe: How Imran Khan confronted Pakistan's army

Since his arrest in August, Imran Khan has spent the majority of his time in the Adiala jail. International media were not permitted to attend proceedings in the special court, which have been ongoing for several months. Local media reported that the judge was recently instructed to expedite the trial. A PTI spokesman stated that the court ruling would be challenged and described as a mockery."We don't accept this illegal decision," Naeem Panjutha, a lawyer for the former Prime Minister who is fighting numerous other legal cases, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Another Khan aide told Reuters that his legal team had no opportunity to represent him or cross-examine witnesses. The delayed election on February 8 comes amid allegations that the PTI is being denied a fair chance to campaign. The authorities deny carrying out a crackdown on the PTI, but many of its leaders are now in prison or have defected, its candidates are forced to run as independents, and many are on the run. Police also rounded up thousands of its supporters following violent protests last May, when Imran Khan was first arrested.

The party has also been stripped of its cricket bat symbol, which is required in a country with low literacy rates to allow voters to mark their ballots.