Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Faces Charges Under Official Secrets Act, Future of Politics in Pakistan Hangs in the Balance

In a major development, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been booked under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly making the content of a confidential diplomatic cable public. Khan, who is currently serving a three-year jail term in a corruption case, has been charged under Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923 based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

If proven guilty, he could face imprisonment ranging from two to 14 years, or even a death sentence in some cases. The counter-terrorism wing of the FIA took action against Khan after conducting an investigation into his deliberate misuse of the classified diplomatic document, known as the cipher.

The cipher allegedly contained information about a meeting between US State Department officials and the then Pakistani envoy in the US. Khan, who has been claiming that the US conspired against his government, had presented the cipher at a public rally to support his allegations.

However, the US has repeatedly denied any involvement and termed the allegations "categorically false." The publication of a copy of the secret cable by the US media outlet The Intercept further increased scrutiny on Khan. Many members of the previous government led by Shehbaz Sharif accused Khan of being the source of the leak.

Former Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah stated that if Khan had indeed lost the copy of the cipher provided to him, it would be a violation of the Official Secrets Act. According to a confession by Khan's former principal secretary, Azam Khan, the former prime minister used the US cipher for his "political gains" and to avoid a vote of no-confidence against him.

Azam Khan claimed that he had handed over the cipher to Khan, who later said he had misplaced it and did not return it despite repeated requests. Khan allegedly used the cipher at political gatherings to create a narrative against the establishment and the opposition.

The implications of the cipher case against Khan are significant, as it raises questions about his alleged involvement in using classified information for political purposes. This development comes at a time when Khan is already facing criticism for his handling of the government and the country's affairs. With the case now proceeding under the Official Secrets Act, the future of Pakistan's politics remains uncertain.