| Khan ousting: Conspiracy claim hangs as Pakistan "Cipher Case" witness testimony ends. |
The stage is set for the next phase in the high-stakes "cipher case" against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. On Tuesday, a special court in Rawalpindi concluded recording statements from 25 prosecution witnesses, paving the way for their cross-examination by the defense team.
Among the key witnesses to take the stand was Asad Majeed, Pakistan's former ambassador to the United States during the alleged incident. Majeed's testimony held particular weight, as he was the author of the confidential diplomatic cable, dubbed the "cipher," at the heart of the case.
Majeed's statements directly challenged Khan's narrative, asserting that the cipher contained no mention of "threats" or "conspiracies" to oust his government. He further emphasized the negative impact the affair had on Pakistan-US relations.
This directly contradicts Khan's claims that the cipher was a "smoking gun" exposing a foreign plot to remove him from power. Khan has repeatedly used this allegation to rally his supporters and paint his ouster as illegitimate.
The court proceedings also witnessed a heated exchange between Qureshi and the prosecutor, Rizwan Abbasi. Qureshi accused the authorities of unfairly rejecting his nomination papers for upcoming elections, despite assurances from the judge. This episode highlighted the political undercurrents simmering beneath the legal proceedings.
With the prosecution's case now laid out, the focus shifts to the defense team's strategy. Cross-examining the witnesses and potentially introducing their own counter-evidence will be crucial for Khan and Qureshi to defend themselves against the charges of violating the Official Secrets Act.
The cipher case remains a closely watched drama in Pakistan, with implications for both the country's domestic political landscape and its international relations. The upcoming cross-examination promises to be a decisive chapter in this ongoing saga.