Former federal minister Asad Umar has been granted pre-arrest bail until August 29 in the leaked cypher case. Umar approached the special court in Islamabad, which handles cases related to complaints filed under the Official Secrets Act, seeking protection from arrest.
The leaked cypher case dates back to March 27, 2022, when former Prime Minister Imran Khan, just before facing a vote of no-confidence leading to his removal from office, presented a piece of paper alleged to be the cypher. The cypher was waved at a public gathering in Islamabad, with Khan claiming it as evidence of an “international conspiracy” aimed at destabilizing his government.
Although the cypher issue had somewhat subsided, it recently resurfaced after a US publication published its contents. This resurgence prompted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the purported “disappearance” of the diplomatic cypher. Both Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been booked under the newly enacted Official Secrets Act as part of this investigation.
Notably, both Qureshi and Asad Umar had appeared before a joint investigation team (JIT) led by the FIA last month. The JIT is currently probing allegations of manipulation involving a classified diplomatic cypher during the rule of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Asad Umar’s pre-arrest bail provides him temporary legal protection from arrest until August 29, giving him time to address the allegations and cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The case has gained significant attention due to its political implications and the potential impact on the country’s diplomatic relations. Further developments are awaited as the investigation unfolds.
