A Pakistani court on Monday charged Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, and his deputy, Sham Mahmood Quareshi for allegedly leaking classified documents.
The legal proceedings against the Prime Minister are closely tied to his speech and the controversial act of waiving a confidential diplomatic letter during a public rally following his removal from office via a no-confidence vote in Pakistan’s parliament in 2022.
The undisclosed document known as “Cipher” has not been released by either the government or Khan’s legal team. It is believed to be a diplomatic correspondence exchanged between the Pakistani ambassador to Washington and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
The charges carry substantial consequences, as Imran Khan could potentially face a 14-year imprisonment or a possible death sentence if convicted. Moreover, this legal development is likely to have implications for his political future, as it could render him ineligible to participate in the general elections scheduled for January.
Naeem Panjutha, a lawyer representing Khan, made a claim suggesting that the speedy indictment of the former Prime Minister is a tactical move intended to swiftly convict the prominent opposition party.
These unfolding events surrounding the Cipher Letter controversy will undoubtedly remain a focal point of interest, both in Pakistan and beyond.
