A senior security source revealed to Reuters on Monday that Pakistani authorities have launched a criminal investigation against imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan on charges of leaking state secrets, as his name emerged in a new case along with three aides. The ongoing investigation concerns a secret telegram sent by Pakistan's ambassador in Washington to Islamabad early last year, which Khan is alleged to have disclosed.
The 70-year-old former cricketer claimed that the telegram was part of a U.S. conspiracy to pressure the Pakistani army into ousting him during a parliamentary vote of confidence in 2022, following his visit to Moscow before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Both Washington and the Pakistani military have denied Khan's allegations.
Currently, Khan is serving a three-year prison sentence for corruption and has been banned from politics for five years. A security source directly involved in the investigation stated to Reuters: "Our investigation is gathering evidence to refer the case to court, charging Imran Khan with leaking official secrets." However, his close aide Zulfi Bukhari argued that the charges against Khan would be unconstitutional after President Arif Alvi confirmed he did not sign off on recent legislative amendments, which is a necessary step.
A copy of the case under investigation reviewed by Reuters indicated that Khan and his aides disclosed classified documents to unauthorized individuals, "distorting facts to achieve their hidden agendas and personal gains." Lawyers state that under Pakistan's Official Secrets Act, a conviction could lead to prison sentences ranging from two to 14 years, and even the death penalty.
