The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has submitted the challan in the cipher case involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi. According to the agency’s submission, both the former prime minister and vice-chairman have been found guilty in the matter, and they have requested the court to proceed with their trial and issue sentences in the case. Notably, the name of former PTI secretary-general Asad Umar has not been added to the list of accused. However, Imran Khan’s former principal secretary, Azam Khan, has been named as a “strong witness” in the case.
The FIA has also attached Azam Khan’s statements, recorded under Sections 161 and 164, to the challan. It is revealed that Imran Khan retained the cipher but did not return it. Additionally, the FIA has included the transcript of Khan and Qureshi’s speeches on March 27, the day when Imran Khan displayed a letter, claiming it was a cipher from a foreign nation seeking his government’s removal from power.
The agency has submitted a list of 28 witnesses to the court with the challan, after recording their statements under Section 161. Among these witnesses, former foreign secretaries Asad Majeed, Sohail Mehmood, and the then additional foreign secretary Faisal Niaz Tirmizi have been added to the list.
On September 26, the special court extended the judicial remand of PTI chairman and vice-chairman until October 10 in the cipher case. Last month, the FIA had booked Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi under the Official Secrets Act, alleging that they misplaced and misused the classified document for their political interests.
When did the cipher controversy start?
The cipher controversy initially arose on March 27, 2022, when Imran Khan waved a letter during a public rally, claiming it was a cipher from a foreign nation conspiring against him. He accused the United States of conspiring to have him removed from power but did not reveal the contents or the source of the cipher. This led to a series of events, including a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting and allegations of foreign interference.
Two audio leaks further fueled the controversy, with individuals allegedly discussing the use of the US cipher for their advantage. In response to the matter, the federal cabinet constituted a committee to investigate the audio leaks. In October, the cabinet approved action against Imran Khan, handing over the case to the FIA.
Imran Khan had previously challenged the FIA’s summons but eventually appeared before the agency. The Lahore High Court (LHC) later recalled the stay order against the call-up notice to Khan by the FIA.
