In Islamabad, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor Hamid Ali Shah informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that former Prime Minister Imran Khan was fully aware of the sensitivity surrounding the cipher but failed to secure it properly, potentially exposing it to risks. Shah emphasized that Imran Khan not only kept a copy of the cipher without authorization but also failed to safeguard it, highlighting that the primary purpose of cipher security is to prevent unauthorized dissemination.
During the appeals hearing of PTI founder Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cipher case, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the arguments. Shah explained that the cipher document is classified and is mandated to be destroyed after six months, even after declassification, stringent measures are in place for its disposal.
He recalled that after a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on March 31, a decision was made to issue a demarche to the United States, concluding the cipher process, necessitating its return to the Foreign Office. Shah stated that all cipher copies, except the one held by Imran Khan, were returned and disposed of. When questioned about legal representation for the defense, Shah clarified that it was not mandatory for statements given under Section 342.
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Regarding charges for the deliberate and negligent loss of the cipher document, Shah explained that both charges would be pursued simultaneously, given the differing timelines of relevant actions. In response to queries about Imran Khan’s awareness of the cipher’s sensitivity and accountability, Shah referenced the former premier’s public acknowledgments of its significance on various platforms.
Shah addressed concerns about the cipher’s dissemination, emphasizing stringent security protocols surrounding its handling and the potential national security risks of any breach. Regarding the involvement of ex-principal secretary Azam Khan, Shah clarified that while Azam Khan himself did not receive the document, it was handled by his staff, with Khan subsequently passing it to Imran Khan. Shah argued that it was an established fact that the former premier possessed a copy of the cipher, citing statements made by Imran Khan on multiple platforms, including his YouTube channel.
Responding to inquiries about the credibility of YouTube conversations as testimony, Shah reiterated Imran Khan’s acknowledgment of the cipher’s importance and the risks of its exposure. Additionally, the Islamabad advocate general petitioned for the submission of an FIR and records regarding the alleged abduction of witness Azam Khan, which was granted by the court.
