Former prime minister Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been sentenced to 10 years in jail by a special court established under the Official Secrets Act. The case, known as the cipher case, involves a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency alleged was never returned by Imran. The verdict comes just days before the February 8 general elections, in which the PTI is contesting amid controversy and without an electoral symbol. Both Imran and Qureshi have been disqualified from contesting elections for the next five years as a result of the conviction. This is the second conviction for Imran, while it is the first for Qureshi. The PTI has issued statements decrying the “sham trial” and urging the public to come out and vote on February 8. PTI leader Gohar Khan expressed concerns about the conduct and fairness of the trial, while PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan announced plans to appeal the decision. On the other hand, PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah and Attaullah Tarar said the punishment is justified and the PTI has the right to appeal. The case history is also discussed, including the indictment of Imran and Qureshi in October and the subsequent legal proceedings. In the end, the article mentions the additional reporting of Nadir Guramani.