ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has officially declared PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi guilty in connection with the cipher case.
This revelation surfaced through an investigation report that the FIA presented to the special Official Secrets Act court in Islamabad last Saturday.
In addition to pronouncing their guilt, the report also recommended that legal proceedings be initiated against Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood, leading to their potential sentencing. Alongside this report, the FIA furnished a roster of 28 witnesses to the court. This dossier included statements from 27 witnesses, notably encompassing Additional Foreign Secretary Faisal Niaz Tirmizi. These statements were submitted along with the investigative findings.
Moreover, the report incorporated a statement from Azam Khan, Imran Khan’s former principal secretary, obtained in accordance with sections 161 and 167 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The investigation report alleges that former Prime Minister Imran Khan retained possession of the cipher, employing it inappropriately as a state secret. Sources suggest that a copy of the cipher reached the PTI Chairman but was never returned.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi delivered a speech on March 27 and is said to have subsequently aided Imran Khan, as reported in the document. The investigation report also included a transcript disc of speeches made by both Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood.
Just a few days prior, the special court had extended the judicial remand of Imran Khan and Qureshi in connection with the cipher case until October 10. Special court judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain convened at Attock Jail to preside over the cipher case against Imran Khan, overseeing stringent security measures. At that time, the FIA team present in court was instructed to promptly submit an investigation report regarding the case.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
