Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar Reacts to Ex-Principal Secretary Azam Khan’s Statement against Former PM Imran Khan
Islamabad, Pakistan – On Thursday, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar responded to ex-principal secretary Azam Khan’s recent confessional statement implicating former Prime Minister Imran Khan. According to Khan’s statement, an accused could face up to 14 years in jail for using classified documents for personal interests.
Azam Khan, who had been missing for the past month, recorded his statement under CrPC 164 before a magistrate, accusing the former PM of utilizing a diplomatic cypher to create a false narrative against the establishment and opposition.
In the statement, Azam claimed that when he shared the cypher with Imran Khan, the former premier became “euphoric” and referred to the language as a “US blunder.”
During a press conference in Islamabad, Law Minister Tarar highlighted that exhibiting “criminal negligence” in handling confidential documents could result in imprisonment for up to two years. However, if the cypher was made public and its contents leaked for vested interests, the accused could face up to 14 years in prison.
Imran Khan, who was ousted through a parliamentary vote in April of the previous year, had alleged on March 27, 2022, that Washington orchestrated a plan to remove him from office. He presented the cypher, sent by Pakistan’s envoy to Washington, at a public rally to support his claims. However, the US has consistently denied these allegations, categorically refuting them.
The law minister further asserted that the former PM had taken the cypher with him and never returned it. The federal government referred the cypher scandal to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), but Imran Khan obtained a court’s stay order on the matter.
FIA has now summoned PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, to participate in the investigation on July 25. The agency will decide whether to convert the ongoing probe into a criminal investigation.
Published in PakWeb, July 21, 2023.
Stay informed and engaged with the PakWeb by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and participating in our Discussion Forums.
