hah Mahmood Qureshi, former Foreign Minister and Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand by a special court dedicated to cases under the Official Secrets Act. This action follows his two-day physical remand by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The hearing was conducted by Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, who was assigned additional responsibilities to preside over the special court. During the hearing, the FIA’s special prosecutor requested an extension of Qureshi’s physical remand, citing the need to recover his mobile phone and a diplomatic cable.
However, the judge expressed dissatisfaction with repeated requests for extensions and rejected the prosecutor’s plea. Qureshi’s arrest took place earlier in the month by the FIA’s Counter Terrorism Wing after a case was filed against him based on a complaint by Interior Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar under Sections 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act 1923.
The complaint alleged that Qureshi, along with former Prime Minister Imran Khan and their associates, had disclosed information from a classified document (Cipher Telegram received from Parep. Washington dated 7th March, 2022 to Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to the public, distorting facts for personal gains and jeopardizing state security.
Notably, Imran Khan, the PTI Chairman, is also connected to the case. He has been serving a judicial remand since his conviction in the Toshakhana case for failing to declare gifts received during his time in office.
The case revolves around a controversy that emerged in March 2022, when Imran Khan, shortly before his removal from power, presented a letter claiming to be a cypher from a foreign nation, suggesting his government’s removal. He later named the United States as the sender and implicated Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs Donald Lu.
The National Security Committee (NSC) addressed the issue, condemning foreign interference. After Imran Khan’s ousting, the NSC convened again, finding no proof of a foreign conspiracy in the cypher.
Following audio leaks that implicated Khan, then-federal minister Asad Umar, and others, the federal cabinet initiated an investigation. In October, the case was handed over to the FIA, leading to summonses for Khan and Umar. The Lahore High Court eventually lifted Khan’s stay order against the FIA’s call-up notice.
This turn of events underscores the significance of the cipher case and its implications for high-profile political figures in Pakistan. The judicial proceedings are likely to attract substantial attention as they unfold.
