One day after an extensive interrogation lasting about two hours, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been summoned once again by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for August 1.
The case in question revolves around the diplomatic cable saga, wherein the former prime minister, who was removed from office in April last year, claims that the cipher contains details of a threat made by the United States against his government.
During a public gathering in Islamabad on March 27, 2022, Imran presented a letter as evidence of an “international conspiracy” orchestrated by the US to topple his government.
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In the latest notice, the FIA has requested the deposed prime minister to appear before its joint investigation team at 12 noon on Tuesday (August 1), along with the relevant documents. During this session, Imran will face follow-up questions related to his earlier recorded statement on July 25.
FIA against Shah Mehmood Qureshi
Previously, the FIA also questioned PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi for nearly two hours as part of the ongoing investigation into the controversial US cipher.
The controversy surrounding the cipher escalated when Azam Khan, the former principal secretary to the prime minister, “recorded” a statement terming the US cipher a “conspiracy” used by the ex-PM to create a narrative against the establishment and opposition.
Azam, who had been “missing” for some time, made this statement under CrPC 164 before a magistrate.
In response, Imran regarded Azam as an “honest man” but insisted that he would not accept the statement until he heard it directly from the bureaucrat.
The controversy originally emerged on March 27, 2022, when Imran, shortly before his ouster, presented the cipher as evidence that a foreign nation intended to remove his government from power.
Following these events, two audio leaks surfaced, implicating the former prime minister, Asad Umar, and Azam in discussions about the US cipher and how to use it to their advantage.
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In response, the federal cabinet formed a committee to investigate the contents of the audio leaks and subsequently authorized the FIA to take action against Imran and others involved in the case.