In the aftermath, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) top leadership vehemently rejected on Tuesday the verdict handed down by a special court under the Official Secrets Act, which sentenced former premier Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to 10 years in jail in the cipher case. In response to the special court's decision, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, a central leader of Tehreek-e-Insaf, addressed the media, urging party supporters to exhibit restraint and avoid expressing anger. He stated that PTI would challenge the Cipher case trial in court, expressing hope that the punishment meted out to PTI founder Imran Khan would be annulled.

PTI stalwart Omer Ayub Khan took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), declaring his rejection of the verdict, citing political motives behind the decision. In a statement, he called on all PTI members and Pakistanis to remain calm and peaceful in the aftermath of what he referred to as a decision by a "kangaroo court" against PM Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Omer Ayub Khan encouraged supporters to concentrate on the upcoming electoral process, emphasizing a high voter turnout. He urged PTI members to rally on February 8, 2024, and cast their votes for PM Imran Khan's nominated candidates, whose names have been posted on PTI's official website and social media channels.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)