Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been re-arrested in connection with the Cipher case, immediately after the suspension of his sentence in the Toshakhana criminal case. The arrest was made by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Imran Khan has been placed on judicial remand until August 30.
The Cipher case relates to allegations that Imran Khan and his close aides, including former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, misused a diplomatic cable for political gain. The cable, known as the “cipher”, allegedly showed that the United States was behind a conspiracy to topple Imran Khan’s government. However, Imran Khan never revealed the content of the cable and later walked back on his allegations against the US.
The FIA has registered a case against Imran Khan and his close aides for sharing information on the cable and violating the Official Secrets Act. The agency has expanded the scope of its investigations after the secret document was published by The Intercept, a US-based media organization.
Imran Khan’s re-arrest has come as a major hurdle in his release after his sentence was suspended and he was released on bail in the Toshakhana case. The decision to place him on judicial remand was rendered by Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain of the Official Secrets Act court.
This development has once again brought attention to the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan. It remains to be seen what further developments will arise from this case.
