FIA launches case against PTI chairman for missing diplomatic cipher

Islamabad: The Federal Investigation Authority's (FIA) Counter Terrorism Wing on Wednesday initiated legal proceedings against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman after allegations of a missing copy of a diplomatic cipher.

The case was formally registered against the former prime minister on Tuesday, with the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) currently tasked with probing the cipher controversy leading the inquiry.

In a significant development, Azam Khan, the former principal secretary to the PTI chairman and ex-prime minister, appeared before the FIA's joint investigation team after receiving a summons.

 Khan, who had been absent from public view, revealed crucial insights into the matter, alleging the former prime minister's utilization of a US cypher for personal political advantage and as a strategy to forestall a potential no-confidence motion.

Azam Khan's statement, made under CrPC 164 before a magistrate, has garnered substantial attention and commentary. In response, the PTI chairman and former prime minister refrained from immediate comment, pledging to await comprehensive information disclosure. He emphasized the need to understand the circumstances surrounding Azam Khan's assertions.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, however, took a strong stance, characterizing Azam Khan's statement as a "charge sheet" against PTI chief Imran Khan. He asserted that Khan should be held accountable for what he termed an "anti-state cypher drama."

As the investigation unfolds, the case continues to attract public and media attention, shedding light on the intricate intersections between politics, security, and diplomatic communication.