FIA springs into action on ‘cypher-gate’ probe

Govt says PTI chairman will be held accountable for violating Official Secrets Act by making the cypher public

In a significant development on Wednesday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) kicked off its probe into the so-called ‘cypher-gate’ scandal, ensnaring former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan into yet another investigation.

The development comes as the federal government announced an official inquiry into the 'cypher-gate' case to initiate proceedings against the PTI chairman for violating the Official Secrets Act by making the classified document public.

According to officials, the FIA has issued summons to former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and former Finance Minister Asad Umar, calling the two senior PTI leaders to the FIA headquarters on July 24.

The investigative body has also summoned the PTI chief for the same inquiry on July 25 at 12 noon.

In the notices, the political leaders have been asked to bring any information or documents relating to the cypher telegram, and any evidence pertaining to their claims regarding the matter.

Read more: 'Confessional statement' of Azam Khan dubs cypher narrative as conspiracy

Unilateral action can also be taken in case of non-appearance, the FIA states in the notices.

Addressing a press conference, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Attaullah Tarar said the Lahore High Court had earlier issued a stay order halting proceedings against the PTI chairman for violating the Official Secrets Act by making the cypher public in a rally, but that order has now been vacated, granting permission for the FIA to conduct a thorough inquiry.

Speaking at a press conference, SAPM Tarar highlighted that for the past five months, Imran had been shielded from scrutiny regarding the violation of the Official Secrets Act. However, with the stay order being lifted, the FIA can now delve into the matter.

Tarar emphasised that it was a crime to retain the 'cypher' in personal custody and make it public after being removed from the position of prime minister.

He mentioned that Azam Khan, a close confidant and former principal secretary of the ex-prime minister, had explicitly declared him a “criminal” in his confessional statement. This revelation shatters the so-called "Absolutely Not" narrative that Imran had propagated for his personal political gains, he said.

Read: Beleaguered PTI suffers blow in its strongest bastion

Tarar’s comments came hours after Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan revealed the contents of Azam Khan’s alleged confessional statement in which he described the PTI chief as “euphoric” when being informed of the infamous cypher.

Sanaullah also asserted that Imran Khan would remain a "criminal" until the 'cypher' was recovered from him. Sanaullah claimed that Imran had been entrusted with the 'cypher' by his former principal secretary, who was later informed by the PTI chief himself that it had been lost.

Sanaullah claimed that Azam Khan, in his confessional statement, had acknowledged the involvement of then-Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the scheme to exploit the 'cypher' against national interests for personal and political gains.

“Imran Niazi and Qureshi will face charges under the Official Secrets Act for divulging a classified document,” he said.

Highlighting a similar case involving former US President Donald Trump, Sanaullah emphasised that Imran would be prosecuted on similar charges.

The minister claimed that the violent incidents that unfolded on May 9 were part of the PTI chief’s conspiracy against Pakistan and its institutions, as evidence indicated the involvement of his group in anti-state activities.