ISLAMABAD: Ex-Principal Secretary to former Prime Minister Muhammad Azam Khan has held Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan responsible for hatching Cipher conspiracy, harming Pakistan's diplomatic relations, undermining country's economy and spreading hate in the society.
This was stated by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, while quoting Azam Khan's confessional statement, at a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday.
He said Muhammad Azam Khan's statement revealed that Imran Khan Niazi is the real Mir Jaffer, who orchestrated the drama against country's interests by harming its foreign relations and inflicting a serious damage on its economy just to secure his vested political objectives. He said Azam Khan claimed that Imran Khan Niazi was told to refrain from misusing a secret document and making it public, which is a clear violation of the Official Secret Act.
Rana Sanaullah said Imran Khan Niazi deliberately used the cipher to build a narrative against the then opposition. Taking a u-turn, now Imran Niazi claims that cipher has lost. The Interior Minister, however, said that the original cipher is still with the PTI Chief and he should be prosecuted for keeping a secret document in private possession. He added that a former US President is also facing prosecution on similar grounds. He said Imran Khan Niazi should be brought to justice for violating the Official Secret Act and keeping a secret document in his private possession. He said former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also worked hand in glove with Imran Khan in the cipher conspiracy.
The Interior Minister further said that the confessional statement of Azam Khan discloses that Imran Khan Niazi can sacrifice national interests in pursuance of his personal agenda; similarly, there should be no doubt that the PTI chief was behind the violent and hateful incidents on May 9. He said defence institutions of the country were attacked, state buildings torched, memorials of martyrs desecrated and a planned attempt was made to spread anarchy in Pakistan. He said the culprits involved in carrying out anti-state activities should be brought to book and given an exemplary punishment as per law.
Responding to a question, Rana Sanaullah said it is a matter of state interests and a case against Imran Khan should be lodged on behalf of the state, adding that the people who put the national interests at stake for personal interests would be brought to justice. Rana Sanaullah said it may be possible that still the copy of the cypher is present in the custody of Imran Khan. Rana Sanaullah said that at last Imran Khan should have to become accountable for his crimes, adding that it is up to the investigating agencies whether they will arrest Imran Khan or not.
Rana Sanaullah said that federal cabinet had sent the matter for investigation to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), adding that this case will be sent to the special court. Rana Sanaullah said that whatever information has been given by to media about the statement of Azam Khan is 100 percent correct. He said that Muhammad Azam Khan has not only recorded his stated under section 164 but also recorded this statement under section 161 on the notices issued by FIA and police to him in the case. Rana Sanaullah Khan said that according to his information Muhammad Azam Khan is present at his home from yesterday (Tuesday).
Rana Sanaullah said that Azam Khan and former foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood were not part of playing with the cypher, exposing and keeping in private possession, adding that Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi are at the top in playing with the cyper, exposing it and keeping it in private possession.
Replying a question, Rana Sanaullah said that the decision would be made by Election Commission of Pakistan whether elections will be held after 65 day or 70 days in case of dissolution of the National Assembly. He said that the elections would be held according to the scheduled given by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Rana Sanaullah said that Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is holding discussions regarding the caretaker set up, adding that 20 or 22 days are enough as this work could be done in two days.