Azam Khan gives another statement in cipher case

ISLAMABAD: Former principal secretary to the then Prime Minister Imran Khan, Azam Khan has given his another statement in the cipher case.

The cipher case involves former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who are being pursued under the Official Secret Act. Azam Khan testified under oath during the proceedings.

In his statement, the ex-principal secretary mentioned that he received the cipher copy from his staff in March 2022, and he handed it over to the Prime Minister. He stated that the Prime Minister retained a copy, but it later went missing.

Azam Khan explained that the Master Cipher copy was in the possession of the foreign ministry, and a meeting held in Bani Gala included a narration of the cipher. Subsequently, it was decided to present the cipher in the federal cabinet, which then referred the matter to the National Security Committee to determine an appropriate response to the alleged interference by the US in Pakistan’s internal affairs.

During the National Security Committee meeting, a decision was made to issue a demarche to the country concerned for its supposed involvement in Pakistan’s internal matters.

Azam Khan further clarified that the customary practice of returning the cipher copy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not followed during his tenure. He indicated that he had informed the Prime Minister, Military Secretary, and relevant staff multiple times about not returning the cipher copy, and tasks were assigned to the Military Secretary, ADC, and staff to address the issue.

The cipher case originated with the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on August 15 under the Official Secrets Act, based on the complaint of the Home Secretary.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi were named in the report, with the inclusion of former principal secretary Azam Khan and former planning minister Asad Umar.

The FIR alleged that Azam Khan and Asad Umar would also face action for their involvement in the misuse of classified documents. It stated that a conspiracy was initiated to misuse the contents of the diplomatic cipher for nefarious purposes, accusing the former premier and top diplomat of endangering state interests.