Azam Khan, the principal secretary of former prime minister Imran Khan, has confessed that the diplomatic cypher was used for political purposes to avoid the no-confidence motion.
Azam Khan went missing over a month ago under mysterious circumstances after a crackdown on party workers following the May 9 incident. A confessional statement attributed to him has been issued.
The statement said on March 9, the foreign secretary approached Azam Khan and informed him about the cypher. The foreign secretary also informed that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed the matter with Imran Khan which the prime minister confirmed to Azam Khan the next day.
Upon seeing the cypher, Imran was “euphoric” and termed the language as “US blunder” while saying that the cypher can now be “manipulated for created a narrative against the establishment and opposition.”
Imran Khan told Azam that the cypher can be used to divert general public’s attention towards “foreign involvement” in the no-confidence motion by the opposition.
Imran Khan instructed Azam to hand over the cypher to him, which he said was also a clear violation on regulations for handing over official documentation. Azam Khan confessed the cypher copy was retained by Imran Khan and the next day was informed that it was “misplaced”.
Azam Khan further confessed that Imran Khan said he will the cypher in front of the public and “twist the narrative” that a foreign conspiracy is being hatched in collusion with local partners and play the “victim card”.
Azam advised the prime minister that the cypher was a secret document and its content cannot be disclosed. He suggested a meeting with the foreign minister and foreign secretary where they can read the cypher from copy with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and minutes of meetings.
On 28 March 2022, a meeting was held at Bani Gala during which the foreign secretary read the cypher and it was decided to place the matter before the federal cabinet.
The special cabinet meeting was held on 30 March 2022, where the Foreign Office representative again read the cypher and briefed the cabinet. The meeting decided the matter will be taken up by the National Security Committee.
On 31 March, the NSC meeting was held where the cypher was again read and minuted by National Security Division.
Azam Khan said the cypher “lost’ by PM Imran Khan was not returned until he served as principal secretary despite repeated requests.
