Cipher Case: Imran Khan in serious trouble with appearance of "Strong Witness" against him
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On Saturday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) took a significant step by filing a legal document, known as a challan, pertaining to the cipher case involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Within this challan, the agency declared that both the former prime minister and the vice-chairman were found to be culpable in this case, and they earnestly urged the court to initiate their trial and subsequently pass judgment on their involvement.
It is noteworthy to mention that Asad Umar, the former secretary-general of PTI, has not been included in the list of accused individuals, as per insider information. However, Azam Khan, Imran Khan's former principal secretary, has been labeled as a "strong witness" within the proceedings.
The FIA chose to append Azam's statements, which were recorded under Sections 161 and 164 of the law, to the challan. These sources also asserted that Imran Khan retained the cipher to himself and allegedly exploited this state secret for his own purposes, failing to return it when required.
Furthermore, the FIA bolstered its case by attaching a transcript of the speeches delivered by Khan and Qureshi on March 27. This was the day when the former premier dramatically exhibited a letter he claimed to be a cipher originating from a foreign nation, purporting that it demanded the removal of his government from power. The agency took further steps to fortify its position by presenting a comprehensive list of 28 witnesses to the court. These witnesses had their statements recorded under Section 161, underlining the gravity of the case and the thoroughness of the investigation.
In summary, the FIA's submission of the challan in the cipher case against Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings. The inclusion of Azam Khan's testimony and the transcripts of the pivotal speeches on March 27 substantiates the allegations made against the former prime minister and the vice-chairman. With the court now in possession of these crucial documents, the stage is set for a consequential trial that will determine the fate of these high-profile individuals.
