IHC expects PM will not make content of 'threat letter' public

Court ‘confident’ premier would not disclose any information or act in breach of Official Secrets Act, order says

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday expressed confidence that Prime Minister Imran Khan, as an elected representative, would not make content of a letter – which the premier had claimed in a March 27 public gathering was evidence of “foreign powers” behind the opposition’s no-confidence move to oust his government – public.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said in the court order that he hoped the prime minister "would not disclose any information or act in breach of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 nor the oath taken by him under the Constitution".

Also read: Plea seeking probe into ‘threat letter’ to PM filed in SC

"Any decision taken by the worthy Prime Minister has to be in consonance with his obligations under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and in letter and spirit of the oath of the office," he wrote in the order a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune.

The court, it read, has trust and confidence that the worthy prime minister would not reveal any information which may be prejudicial to the national interest and national integrity of Pakistan nor that he would act in any manner that would have the effect of violating his oath.

Read more: PM Imran to show 'threatening letter' to allies, journalists

The controversy arose after Premier Imran, in his speech at a public rally on Sunday, claimed that there was a "foreign-funded plot" being hatched against his government.

He showed a letter, but without divulging its contents, as evidence of the existence of the conspiracy aimed at toppling his government. Imran insisted that efforts were being made to seek his ouster since he pursued an "independent" foreign policy.

Since his revelations, many questions are being asked including whether the letter was written by any country or was an internal assessment shared by one of the foreign diplomatic missions of Pakistan.

Also read: Opposition urges PM Imran to resign as PTI loses majority in NA

The "threat letter" was also shared with the military leadership, according to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. But relevant quarters revealed that they had "no knowledge" of any such plot and neither did they see any evidence.

Earlier today, PM Imran said that he will show the letter to senior journalists and government allies. However, the idea was later dropped.

Meanwhile, a scheduled address to the nation by the premier was also postponed and no reason was given in this regard by the ruling party officials.