US offers no comment on Imran Khan’s sentencing in cipher case

The United States has offered no comment on former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan's jailing in cipher case, saying it was a matter for Pakistan's courts, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

Addressing a news briefing in Washington on Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to comment on the sentencing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) founder chairman in the cipher case, affirming its stance in support of democratic governance and the rule of law in Pakistan.

Matthew Miller said: "We support the rule of law in other countries, including Pakistan. We encourage all parties to respect the judicial process and uphold democratic principles."

Miller declined to delve into the specifics of PTI’s legal entanglements, citing ongoing judicial proceedings in Pakistan.

On Tuesday, Official Secret Act Court judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain sentenced both Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi to 10 years in prison following the conclusion of the cipher case proceedings.

The court emphasized the prosecution's presentation of substantial evidence supporting the charges. Both accused were present in the courtroom during the sentencing, and they opted not to sign the 342 statement questionnaire.

Recalling events leading up to the case, it is noteworthy that former Prime Minister Imran Khan, before the ouster of his government on March 27, 2022, had revealed a letter (cipher) at a public meeting in Islamabad.

In his claims, he had asserted that the letter, allegedly from a foreign government, outlined a plan to overthrow the government. The cipher case has since become a focal point in the legal and political landscape, drawing attention both domestically and internationally.

Imran Khan has been fighting dozens of cases since he was ousted from power in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022. He claimed the secret cable mentioned in the case was proof of a conspiracy by the Pakistani military and the US government to topple his government in 2022 after he visited Moscow, just before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.