Told Imran no precedent to declassify cypher: ex-FO secy

Hearing adjourned till Friday

RAWALPINDI:

Former foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood, in his statement to the special court hearing the cypher cases, has said that former premier Imran Khan was informed that there was no precedent for the declassification of the secret document.

In his written statement, he said that on April 8, 2022, a cabinet meeting took place with the presence of the cabinet secretary, the law secretary, and himself as the foreign secretary. During the meeting, Mahmood emphasised that cypher security guidelines permit sharing the cypher telegram only with authorised individuals. He added that after the meeting, a decision was made to brief the parliament in a closed session.

The former foreign secretary also stated that the additional secretary of the US sent a note, expressing concerns by the American authorities regarding Imran's cypher.

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Mahmood testified in the cypher case and recorded his statement mentioning his appointment as the foreign secretary in March 2022. On March 8, 2022, he contacted the Pakistani ambassador in Washington, who informed him about a meeting with the US secretary of state for South and Central Asia. The deputy head of mission and defence attache was also in that meeting.

He detailed that the ambassador explained the matter's sensitivity and informed him about sending a cypher to the foreign ministry. Upon receiving a copy of the cypher, he categorised it as confidential for the exclusive use of the foreign secretary. Copies were distributed with strict instructions not to circulate, ensuring that only the secretary of state possessed them. The distribution of the cypher copy was approved with instructions to seal it in a top-secret envelope.

Regarding subsequent events, Mahmood stated that during a meeting on March 27, 2022, former prime minister Imran presented a letter. On March 28, an internal note was received from the US secretary of state expressing concern about Imran's public statement. Mahmood promptly forwarded this note to the foreign ministry, advising them to maintain a connection with the US to avoid public debates on important relations and the commission's findings.

Further, on March 29, 2022, Mahmood was invited to Bani Gala for an unscheduled meeting. During the reading of the cypher telegram, participants discussed the conversation between the assistant secretary of state and the Pakistani ambassador in Washington.

The classification of cypher was emphasised, as it could affect the diplomatic mission's work with the US and other countries. The meeting in Bani Gala concluded without tangible results, Mahmood took the copy of the cypher telegram with him, referring it to the Director FSO.

Importantly, he was not instructed to prepare minutes for this meeting, added his statement in court. 

During the hearing today, Justice Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain of the special court adjourned the hearing  until Friday due to the engagement of the counsel.