Imran Khan,Attock Jail,Official Secrets Act,Diplomatic cable,US-backed conspiracy,Corruption case,Cabinet meeting,Shah Mahmood Qureshi,US State Department,Legal challenges ---- In a surprising turn of events, former Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted to misplacing a confidential diplomatic cable while being interrogated at the Attock Jail in Pakistan. The interrogation was part of a case filed under the Official Secrets Act, alleging Khan's wrongful use of the classified document. Khan, who is currently serving a three-year jail term for a corruption case, had previously mentioned the cable as evidence of a US-backed conspiracy to remove him as Prime Minister last year.

During the interrogation, Khan confessed to losing the cypher and claimed that he could not recall where he kept it. He also denied that the document he waved at a public gathering as proof of the conspiracy was the diplomatic cable, stating that it was actually Cabinet meeting minutes. The former Prime Minister's close aide and PTI vice chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, was also arrested in connection with the case. The cable in question allegedly contained an account of a meeting between US State Department officials and a Pakistani envoy. Khan has repeatedly accused the US of hatching a conspiracy to topple his government, though the US has denied these allegations.

The publication of a purported copy of the secret cable by US media outlet The Intercept had drawn increased scrutiny to Khan, leading to accusations from the previous government that he was the source of the leak. Former Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has stated that if Khan indeed lost the copy of the cypher provided to him, it would constitute a crime under the Official Secrets Act. The investigation will also determine the involvement of other individuals, including Khan's principal secretary and ex-planning minister. The authenticity of the document has been called into question, with The Intercept noting that independent confirmation from Pakistani government sources was not possible given the security climate in the country.

These latest developments in Khan's case add to the numerous legal challenges he has faced since his removal from office last year. His current sentence and the severity of the cypher case could have a significant impact on his political future, potentially ending his prospects for participating in the upcoming general elections. It remains to be seen whether he will be arrested by the investigating agency in connection with the cypher case if his sentence in the corruption case is suspended.