RAWALPINDI: Former Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood in his statement to special court hearing cypher cases has said that former premier Imran Khan was informed that there was no precedent for declassification of secret document.

In his written statement, he said that on April 8, 2022, Cabinet meeting took place with presence of Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary and himself as Foreign Secretary. During meeting, Mahmood emphasised that cypher security guidelines permit sharing cypher telegram only with authorised individuals. He added that after meeting, decision was made to brief parliament in closed session.

He stated that Additional Secretary of US sent note, expressing concerns by American authorities regarding Imran’s cypher.

He detailed that Ambassador explained matter’s sensitivity and informed him about sending cypher to Foreign Ministry. Upon receiving copy of cypher, he categorised it as confidential for exclusive use of Foreign Secretary.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 26 2024

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