Imran Khan, the country’s former Prime Minister, has been sentenced to a 10-year jail term for leaking state secrets. The conviction adds to his existing three-year imprisonment for corruption charges, which he has repeatedly denounced as politically driven.

Khan, ousted from his prime ministerial role in 2022. He is facing this latest sentence just as the general elections approaches. Although Khan is disqualified from participating.

In a message released through his X (formerly Twitter) account, Khan urged the public to peacefully use their votes. The voting will be done on February 8 as a means of retribution against injustice, emphasizing the people’s autonomy.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former foreign minister and vice-chairman of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, also received a 10-year prison sentence. Both men are currently held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where the special court convened.

The charges centre around the cipher case, involving the alleged leak of confidential diplomatic communications during Khan’s tenure as prime minister. The case specifically refers to a March 2022 rally where Khan displayed a document he claimed revealed a foreign plot against him, leading to subsequent criticism of the United States.

Prosecutors argue that Khan’s actions constituted a leak of classified information and jeopardized diplomatic ties. Such charges could potentially lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Since his arrest in August, Khan has been confined to Adiala jail, with international media barred from the court proceedings.

Local reports indicate that the judge was instructed to expedite the trial. PTI spokespeople condemned the verdict as a sham, and Naeem Panjutha, Khan’s lawyer, expressed dissent on X (formerly Twitter). A PTI aide voiced confidence in the success of an impending appeal.

The verdict’s aftermath saw violence at a PTI rally in Balochistan province, with an explosion killing four and injuring five. Police suggest an explosive device was involved, but the perpetrator remains unidentified.

The sentence precedes the February 8 election, already fraught with allegations of unfair treatment towards the PTI. The party faces significant challenges, with many leaders imprisoned or defecting, supporters arrested, and the loss of its cricket bat symbol, crucial for voter recognition in a country with low literacy.

Many question the election’s credibility, given Khan’s and PTI’s marginalization. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif, thrice former PM and a long-time adversary of the military, emerges as a leading candidate. Sharif, who returned from exile and has seen his legal troubles dissipate, is believed to be currently favored by the establishment. This stands in contrast to Khan, who once enjoyed military support but now finds himself out of favor.