Introduction
FIA has submitted a challan in the Special Official Secrets Act court in the cipher case, in which Chairman PTI and Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been declared guilty.
The Federal Investigation Agency has requested the court to try and punish Chairman PTI and former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
According to sources, Asad Umar was not included in the list of accused by FIA while former Principal Secretary Azam Khan has become a strong witness of FIA, his statement of 161 and 164 is attached with the challan.
According to the sources, it has been said in the challan that the PTI chairman kept the cipher and misused the state secret. The cipher copy reached the PTI chairman but was not returned. Shah Mehmood Qureshi delivered the speech on March 27 and then assisted the Chairman PTI.
The challan further states that the transcript CD of Chairman PTI and Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s March 27 speech is attached. FIA has submitted the list of 28 witnesses to the court along with the challan. Statements of 161 of 27 witnesses have been attached to the challan after being recorded.
According to the challan submitted in the special court, Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed and former Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood are also among the witnesses. Apart from them, Additional Foreign Secretary Faisal Niaz Timrezi is also among the witnesses of FIA. From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the prime minister, the whole of China has been included as witnesses.
Sources say that the copy of the challan in the cipher case is also likely to be provided to the chairman of PTI and Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the next hearing, after which the date of indictment will be fixed. A copy of the 164 statement of Azam Khan, a sworn witness against Chairman PTI, has been submitted to the court. Whether a copy of Azam Khan’s statement will be provided or the lawyers will only be allowed to read it is the discretion of the court.
FAQs:
Q1: What is the Cipher Case?
A1: The Cipher Case involves allegations of Chairman PTI Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi misusing state secrets and holding onto sensitive ciphers.
Q2: Who is Azam Khan, and why is he a key witness?
A2: Azam Khan is a former Principal Secretary who has become a vital witness in the case, providing crucial evidence against Chairman PTI.
Q3: What evidence has been presented in the challan?
A3: The challan includes the transcript CD of a speech by Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, along with statements from 161 witnesses.
Q4: What are the potential consequences for the accused?
A4: The FIA has called for the trial and punishment of Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi if they are found guilty.
Q5: What’s next in the case?
A5: The next hearing is expected to provide a copy of the challan to the accused, after which the date for their indictment will be determined.
