The last day of the cipher trial involved one final process before the 10-year imprisonment sentence was handed out to Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Both the accused were asked to file their statement under section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. But what is this statement.

Barrister Waqas Abraiz said that the 342 statement is given by the accused in reply to the incriminating evidence presented in the course of the trial.

However, Abraiz added that handing over a questionnaire to the accused was against the legal procedure in such instances.

Sources said that Imran Khan was asked to record his statement in court first. The judge reportedly asked Khan if he was prepared to sign the reply he was submitting.

However, Khan replied that he would like to get his own replies recorded, which was allowed by the judge.

On the other hand, some sources claimed that the judge pronounced his verdict before Shah Mahmood Qureshi even had an opportunity to get his statement recorded. However, the judge left the special court as soon as the decision was announced.