Azam Khan records statement in Cipher case under oath

Former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Azam Khan Thursday testified before the court in cipher case on oath by placing his hand on the Holy Quran and kissing it, reported 24NewsHd TV channel.

He was responding to a demand by Imran Khan's lawyer that he should swear by the holy book before giving his statement. The court had earlier expressed its displeasure at the written application and said that it had already ordered to bring a copy of the Holy Quran.

Azam Khan narrated the sequence of events that led to the discovery of a cipher message from the US mission in Pakistan that allegedly urged the opposition to topple the elected government and bring a no-confidence motion against it.

He said that he received the cipher copy from his staff in March 2022 and gave it to the Prime Minister,. He said that the Prime Minister kept a copy of the cipher and it was not found later.

He further said that he advised the Foreign Secretary to read out the message from the Master Cipher during a meeting in Banigala. He said it was decided to present the cipher in the federal cabinet. The cabinet sent the matter to the National Security Committee to decide how to respond to the US.

He said that it was decided in the National Security Committee meeting to issue a demarche to the concerned country for meddling in Pakistan's internal affairs.

He also said that his statements under sections 161 and 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code were not recorded on oath and that he had served as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister with honesty and integrity.

He said the copy of the cipher was not sent back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as per tradition until he left the charge. He said the Prime Minister, Military Secretary and the concerned staff were informed several times for not sending back cipher copy. He said PM asked Military Secretary, ADC and or staff to look into matter.

Reporter: Hashir Warraich